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18 Jun 02 - 08:10 PM (#732584) Subject: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: Yorkie Does anyone recognise these fragments of an old song?
His name was Chicker Acker Choo Chay Chan Chicker Acker Choo Chay Chan Chickerlorum On my pourum.............................. ..............diddy pie diddy pie Chee Anko". |
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18 Jun 02 - 10:29 PM (#732653) Subject: Lyr Add: IN CHINATOWN THERE LIVED A GREAT MAN From: jets I remember it as:
His name was Chikety Chikadi Chikedy Dan His toes were short and his feet were long And this is the way the poor Chinaman would talk. Chikeli de li delo, in a chinawa china ki, in a banana go wachi ow. Now this china man had plenty of wealth He lived in a mansion all by himself His neighbors were good and bought him a boat And set the poor Chinaman afloat. Singing chikli de lie delo, in a chinawa china ki, in a banana go wachi ow. |
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19 Jun 02 - 10:42 AM (#732938) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST,Martin Ryan A fine Derry singer called Jim McFarland sings this as a duet with his young son - to tremendous applause! Regards |
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24 Jun 02 - 06:40 PM (#736074) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: Yorkie Thanks Joe for your version. And thanks Martin for the info about Jim McFarland. Any idea if he has recorded it or any way I could contact him? |
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24 Jun 02 - 07:34 PM (#736115) Subject: Lyr Add: JOHN CHINAMAN'S APPEAL From: Joe Offer Don't know the requested song, but I found this powerful song on this site (click) on the California Gold Rush. -Joe Offer- JOHN CHINAMAN'S APPEAL Tune: Umbrella Courtship 1 American, now mind my song, If you would but hear me sing, And I will tell you of the wrong, That happened In "fifty-two" I left my home -- I bid farewell to "Hong Kong" -- I started with Cup Gee to roam To the land where they use the "long tom". CHORUS: O ching hi ku tong mo ching ching, O ching hi ku tong chi do, Cup Gee hi ku tong mo ching, ching Then what could Gee or I do? 2 In forty days I reached the Bay, And nearly starved I was, sir, I cooked and ate a dog one day - I didn't know the laws sir - But soon I found my dainty meal Was against the city order. The penalty I had to feel - Confound the old Recorder. 3 By paying up my cost and fines, They freed me from the locker, And then I started for the mines - I got a pick and rocker. I went to work in an untouched place, I'm sure I meant no blame sir - But a white man struck me in the face And told me to leave his claim, sir. 4 'Twas then I packed my tools away And set up in a new place, But there they would not let me stay - They didn't like the cue race. And then I knew not what to do, I could not get employ, The Know Nothings would bid me go - 'Twas tu nah mug ahoy. 5 I started then for Weaverville Where Chinamen were thriving, But found our China agents there In ancient feuds were driving. So I pitched into politics, But with the weaker party; The Canton's with their clubs and bricks Did drub us out "right hearty." 6 I started for Yreka then; I thought that I would stay there, But found for even Chinamen The "diggings" wouldn't pay there. So I set up a washing shop, But how extremely funny, The miners all had dirty clothes, But not a cent of money. 7 I met a big stour Indian once, He stopped me in the trail, sir, He drew an awful scalping knife, And I trembled for my tail, sir. He caught me by the hair, it's true, In a manner quite uncivil, But when he saw my awful cue, He thought I was the devil. 8 Oh, now my friends I'm going away From this infernal place, sir; The balance of my days I'll stay With the Celestial race, sir. I'll go to raising rice and tea; I'll be a heathen ever, For Christians all have treated me As men should be used never. Lyrics in Lingenfelter & Dwyer, Songs of the American West, page 302 Also take a look at John Chinaman, My Jo in the Digital Tradition. |
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24 Jun 02 - 07:47 PM (#736120) Subject: Lyr Add: JOHN CHINAMAN From: Joe Offer I found part of this song on a Public Broadcasting System site, and the whole text here (click). Again, not the song requested - but it certainly shows the racism of the era. -Joe Offer- JOHN CHINAMAN - Anonymous Song John Chinaman, John Chinaman, But five short years ago, I welcomed you from Canton, John- But I wish I hadn't though; For then I thought you honest, John, Not dreaming but you'd make A citizen as useful, John, As any in the State. I thought you'd open wide your ports And let our merchants in To barter for their crapes and teas, Their wares of wood and tin. I thought you'd cut your queue off, John, And don a Yankee coat, And a collar high you'd raise, John, Around your dusky throat. I imagined that the truth, John, You'd speak when under oath, But I find you'll lie and steal too- Yes, John, you're up to both. I thought of rats and puppies, John You'd eaten your last fill; But on such slimy pot-pies, John, I'm told you dinner still. Oh, John, I've been deceived in you, And in all your thieving clan, For our gold is all you're after, John, To get it as you can. Lyrics in Lingenfelter & Dwyer, Songs of the American West, page 299 Original: California Songster, (David Appleton, 1855) p. 44 |
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25 Jun 02 - 10:13 AM (#736506) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST,Martin Ryan Chris Jim has a few songs rcorded in various places - but not this one, to the best of my knowledge. I may see him this weekend and will ask him for his set of words and source. Regards |
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29 Jun 02 - 09:55 AM (#739392) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST,Martin Ryan Jim tells me it was in regular use as a skipping song in Derry when he was a kid - and long before, as far as he knows. He also mentioned a Donegal singer who sang it with a chorus in Irish (Gaelic). Regards p.s. Joe: your first find has a distinctly Irish feel to it? |
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29 Jun 02 - 02:25 PM (#739469) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: Charley Noble Joe- looks like someone did a typo in the 3rd line of your first Chinaman song which reads "That happened until 'Gee Sing...'" It would make better sense as: That happened ONTO "Gee Sing," Cheerily, Charley Noble |
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30 Jun 02 - 10:17 AM (#739757) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: Yorkie Joe - thanks for those other songs. They certainly do show the prevalence of racist attitudes. Martin - thanks again. Can I contact Jim McFarlane? (Coincidence time - I discovered, yesterday, that a friend I have know for many years has the middle name of McFarlane. He's never told any of his friends before but got married and, of course, the registrar read out the full name) |
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30 Jun 02 - 01:09 PM (#739813) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: Dicho (Frank Staplin) Joe, "John Chinaman" first appeared in The California Songster, 1855, p. 44, San Francisco, Appleton & Co., David E. Appleton. There are variants. (From Songs of the American West, Lingenfelter and Dwyer, 1968, p. 299) See thread 12708 for "Long John, Chineeman," posted by rich r. John The chorus of this song, for comparison: Ching ching chow, chingeeringee roo, Chingee roo was a Chineeman He was a barber by birth and a butcher by trade I tell you he was oil from the can. In a number of the old songs, the Chinaman is named John. It would be interesting to know when or how this started. "John Chinaman, My Jo," lyrics in the DT should be credited to both J. W. Connor and J. Watson, not just to Connor. The tune is "My Jo," by John Anderson, published (2nd time?) in "The Songs of Scotland," 1887, C. Mackay, J. Pittman and C. Brown, London, p. 72. Data from Lingenfelter and Dwyer, 1968, p. 301.
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30 Jun 02 - 01:17 PM (#739817) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: Dicho (Frank Staplin) It should also be noted that "John Chinaman, My Jo" in Connor's "Irish Song Book" was published in San Francisco by Appleton & Co. |
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30 Jun 02 - 02:05 PM (#739835) Subject: Lyr Add: JOSH, JOHN From: Dicho (Frank Staplin) JOSH, JOHN You have strayed away from your josh, John, You have strayed away from your josh; And between the spot where you stand And your home in the flowery land, The waves of an ocean dash, John, The waves of an ocean dash. Your "tail" is severed clean off, John, Your pigtail is cut clean off; I should like to see you, John, set down, Right in the middle of your native town- Yah! Wouldn't the Johnnies scoff, John, "How can!" they would cry in scoff. The hair now covers your head, John, The hair now covers your head; You have lost your nankin shirt of blue, And a sorry coat of doubtful hue Is seedily worn in its stead, John, Is seedily worn in its stead. A boot of at least thirteen, John, A boot of at least thirteen, And made of cowhide, strong and good, In the place of a sole of solid wood, On your elegant foot is seen, John, On your elegant foot is seen. You have come, as it were, alone, John, You have come, as it were, alone; And you lead an unhappy kind of life, Coming without a cheerful wife, A cheerful wife of your own, John, An almond-eyed wife of your own. You've left your national god, John, You've left your god and your land; You've left the dress of the land of flowers, And in leaving these, haven't taken ours; And you've friends upon neither hand, John, You have friends upon neither hand. Buffeted, beaten, and cursed, John, Buffeted, beaten and cursed, I think your life had happier been As the slave of a nine-tailed Mandarin - This last state is worse than the first, John, This last state is by far the worst! @immigrant @discrimination @Chinese Text above appeared in Johnson, J. E., 1863, p. 18-19, Johnson's New Comic Songs No. 2, San Francisco, Appleton & Co. An earlier variant appeared in Stone, 1855, p. 62, Put's Original California Songster, 1st ed., San Francisco, Appleton & Co. Reprinted in Lingenfelter and Dwyer, 1968, Songs of the American West, p. 300. No music is given. One of the few songs of the time that shows some sympathy (albeit grudgingly) for the Chinese immigrant. Worse times were to come with the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. |
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01 Jul 02 - 03:23 AM (#740036) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: MartinRyan Charley Interesting. I hadn't noticed that "until". In fact, someone from the North of Ireland (such as Jim McFarland, form Derry) would be quite likely to use "until" in that sense.... Regards |
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01 Jul 02 - 06:10 PM (#740316) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: Dicho (Frank Staplin) John Chinaman's Appeal- any source for this? Doesn't seem to be given on the site linked by Joe, but it could be from one of the songsters published in San Francisco by Appleton. The "until" does seem to be out of place. |
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01 Jul 02 - 08:15 PM (#740400) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: MartinRyan I wonder if it (John Chinaman's Appeal) derived from "The Peeler and the Goat"? The structure of verse 2, in particular, is very similar. As with "until", the use of "mind" as in the first verse is quite common in Ireland. In verse 4, I presume it's "queue race" rather than "cue"? Wonder what the last line was? I refuse to speculate! Regards |
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01 Jul 02 - 09:23 PM (#740430) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: Dicho (Frank Staplin) Martin, there were a hell of a lot of Irishmen in California during the gold rush days and on into the railroading and entrepreneural days. I have no evidence against your use of "until" in the song. I would like to see a source for the song and wondered if it could be found in one of the song books that came out in California in the 1850s-1870s. The word could be checked to see if its use in Joe's unattributed version is in another version, or if it could be an error. "Mind," in the sense of to obey, to take care, to listen carefully, is widespread in the States. It is very common in the South and West. My grandmother and my wife's mother both used it frequently (both imperious souls). It could have come with Irish immigrants, but on the other hand, its usage in that sense in English goes back to the 14th century (OED) so it could have been brought over by the first English-speaking colonists. I can't see any similarity with "The Peeler and His Goat" (in the DT) except meter, which may be said of a lot of other songs as well. |
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02 Jul 02 - 07:33 AM (#740618) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: MartinRyan Dicho I'm sure you're right - its just one of those cases where, as I read a set of words, I find a tune naturally springing to mind. Whatever about the specifics, I would be pretty confident the song has Irish roots. Like you, I'd be very interested to see the source. Regards |
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02 Jul 02 - 07:49 AM (#740626) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: MartinRyan There a version of "John Chinaman's Appeal" on a CD/Songbook HERE Regards |
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02 Jul 02 - 01:29 PM (#740806) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: Dicho (Frank Staplin) The link found by Martin Ryan lists a California songbook in addition to cds. Should be worth having. |
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05 Jul 02 - 02:25 PM (#742984) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: Dicho (Frank Staplin) The nonsense chorus had its origin in the song "Ching a Ring Chaw," which in print dates from 1833, an anonymous minstrel tune also known as "Sambo's Address to His Bred'ren." See: Ching Chinger ringer, ring ching, ching Ho ah, dingah ding kum darkee, Chinger ringer, ring ching chaw, Ho ah ding kum darkee. This song has the verse No more our sons cry weep, no more he be the back-e No more our dorters weep, kase dey all call em black-e, No more dey wan to be, no more wash and cook-e. But ebry day we see em read de novel book-e.
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05 Jul 02 - 05:40 PM (#743095) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: Dicho (Frank Staplin) Also note similarity of chorus to that of "King of the Cannibal Islands, thread 9724: Cannibal |
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12 Aug 09 - 08:05 AM (#2698457) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST i always sang it as In China lived a very funny man, his name was chikiraka ching ching chang, his feet were long and his legs were short, the china man could walk not talk, chikiraka ching ching o chiki nora, otto by otto by boom boom boom, uta uta uta, uta uta otta, the china man could walk not talk |
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31 Aug 09 - 11:06 AM (#2712913) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST What I remember from this song my grandfather sang to me and his father sang to him: In Chinatown there lived a man, his name was Chickaly chickaly chan his feet were long and his toes were short and this is the way the chinamen talk Chorus this man he did die and in his coffin he did lie, they sent him back to old Japan and this is how his epitaph ran.. chorus Chickaly chee, cha lie cha low, chilly aromeo, in a bananago, wallago wallago chenasee, in a bananago wochio I know the spelling is not correct and also there were to more verses |
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31 Aug 09 - 11:09 AM (#2712915) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: Jason Xion Wang Ah, I come from China but I don't know anything about this song... |
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23 Nov 09 - 11:45 AM (#2771841) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST Here us is my version of this song, which we sung as children, which was taught by our parents....this is what i remember In China lived a very fat man, his name was Chikkarakka Chuki Can His head was big, his feet were small, poor Chinee couldn't walk at all... Chorus Chikarakka chikarakka chukki can Chub a lard Chub a lard was a very fat man Uga Ooga isky misky Chinese too He ordered his servants to carry him out Through the backyard the people did shout Here he comes, there he goes Poor old man with a monkeys nose Chorus Who knows where it came from? |
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11 Dec 09 - 06:43 PM (#2786478) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST In China town there lived a man, His name was Chicka-Aka-Choo-Chai-Chan, His legs were long and his feet were small, So the poor little bugger couldn't walk at all! Chicka Aka Choo Chai chai chickanora, Antee nora hee willy wim, Oko oko hit him on a poko, Itty pie itty pie im pim pim! He was married, so they say, To his wife on his wedding day, And though he was born on the day of his birth, He died on his very last day on Earth! I grew up in Scotland and sang that as a kid. |
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10 Jan 10 - 07:05 PM (#2808648) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST,Chips What are the words to this song please |
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06 Feb 10 - 01:34 PM (#2831506) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST,CHINAMAN My Grandad taught my mum this, and she taught it me. (: In China once there lived a great man, His name was chikerocka choo chi pan His legs were long and his feet were small This little Chinaman couldn't walk at all Chickerocka chickerocka cho chiker orum Condo romum acki paki wak Oko koko hit him on the boko Ikipie ikipie okoko |
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02 Mar 10 - 06:25 PM (#2854517) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST,Margaret, aged 62 This was my grandfather's version In China once there lived an old man Name was chicka lacka chick chye cho Head was big, feet were small Chinaman couldn't walk at all. Chicka lacka chick chye cho cockalorum Bomp tiddlyorum alla walla way Iye kye Iye Ike iddi diddi diddabye Diddabi diddabi Jingo! His servants used to carry him about Up the hill and round about Carried him up to the top of the hill Rolled him down like a Beecham's pill Chicka lacka chick chye cho cockalorum Bomp tiddlyorum alla walla way Iye kye Iye Ike iddi diddi diddabye Diddabye diddabye Jingo! |
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17 Jun 10 - 08:21 PM (#2930210) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST no no no, this is the song haha in chinatown there lived a man he's name was en of old chin chan he's legs were long and he's feet were short the poor old man could hardly walk ero chero chica ricka rack chica ricka pina chica ricka rack alla balla cusha calla by chin co alla balla cusha calla chin co chook chook chook chook chooka lala chooka lala ika bika da alla balla cusha calla by chin co alla balla cusha calla chin co |
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29 Jul 10 - 08:15 PM (#2954845) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST,Jane My mother heard this song probably in the 30's. This is how and what she remembered, as well as one uncle. They seem to be the first and last verses. She knew there were other verses but did not recall them. (not sure on the spelling) I would love to piece together more verses. There was a man from Chineytown His name was Chicory Chang Chang Chang And his legs were short and his feet were small And this little man couldn't walk at all. (refrain) Chicory Chiney iney go Dan Billy de dink come after me Curie me task and gallopy-o Gallopy wallopy Chiney-o. At last this little man did die And in his coffin he did lie They carried his bones back to the pen, And that was the end of the Chiney-man. (repeat refrain) |
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03 Aug 10 - 10:27 PM (#2957720) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST,Eileen In China once there lived a man His name was Cracker Racker Roo Chi Chan His legs were long his feet were short The poor old man he could not walk. So they rolled him here, they rolled him there They sat him in a bamboo chair Ho ho ho chita by laying chi and coe Chita by laying stone she ha |
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11 Aug 10 - 09:41 AM (#2962807) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST,Beryl This is the way I grew up knowing the song from my mother, but I'm not supposed to sing it for my grandchildren because it's so racist: Oh, in China once there lived a man His name was Chickety Chickety Chan His nose was lont and his feet were short And this is the way the poor Chianman talked: Oh, oh Chicka Cha-lee Cha-lie Cha-low Checka la romi in a banana ga Walla ga walla ga Can't you see? In a bananaga wow chee ow This old Chinaman had plenty of wealth He lived in a mansion all by himself The neighbors next door They bought him a boat And in it they set the poor Chinaman afloat Chorus This old Chinaman was doomed to die And in his coffin he did lie They sent the coffin to Japan And that was the end of the Chinaman! Chorus I would love to know more verses And in they set the poor Chinaman |
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21 Aug 10 - 02:01 PM (#2970120) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST In Chinatown there lived a man Whose name was Ikki Chikki Chi Cho Chan His legs were long, his feet were short Poor old man he could hardly walk Ikki Chikki Chi Cho Chy Chickalora Bobtail Dora Paddy Waddy Wack Oko Moko, Hit him on the boko (refrain) Hit him hard, hit him hard There he goes He had servants to carry him about And on the mountain, you could hear them shout "Here he comes, there he goes The poor old man with the turned up toes" Refain Our version from Girl Scout camp 50 years ago! |
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04 Sep 10 - 11:24 PM (#2980181) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST,Vivian This is my mother's version from Knoxville, TN. She sang to me back in 1950. Forgive the spelling. In China there once lived a man Whose name was Iko Chicory Chan Rudamee Cutty Dusty-o Willabee Wallabee Chiney-o Iko Chiko Chicory Chan Iko Chiko Chinaman Rudamee Cutty Dusty-o Willabee Wallabee Chiney-o One day the Chinaman did die And in his coffin he did lie They carried him over to Japan And that was the end of the Chinaman |
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05 Sep 10 - 12:09 AM (#2980198) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: Jason Xion Wang Umm, this thread on the top page again. I'm a Chinese, but I've never heard about anything like this. |
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31 Jan 11 - 07:52 PM (#3086263) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST,Marcury My version from Australia from 40 years ago! My sister and i still sing it and are the only ones i know who knew it. Obviously no offence for the spelling or the content, it was just a childhood song for us. There lived in China, a very old man, his name was Chickaraka Ching Chong Chan, his legs were long and his feet were small, this little man couldn't walk at all. Chickaraka Ching Chong, Char Chickaronee, alabala fat man, okoe koney. Itchy bitchy caterpillar, ickapie ickapie okoko. His servants carried him in an arm chair, funny little fella with a squashed in nose. Here he comes and there he goes, funny little fella with a squashed in nose. Chickara Ching Chong, Char Chickaronee, alabala fat man, okoe koney. Itchy bitchy caterpillar, ickapie ickapie okoko. I can't believe this song exists in so many forms, i'm actually just glad to know i didn't make it up or that i was going mad! |
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01 Feb 11 - 04:01 PM (#3086792) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: Jim Dixon There are several of these "Chinaman" songs, and several threads about them. Or maybe it's one song with many variations. I haven't sorted them all out, and frankly, I don't want to. Here's a message I posted the last time somebody refreshed one of these threads: I am sick and tired of all this "Chinaman" crap.OK, I was in a bad mood that day. I had just seen a documentary about how several men had been wrongly convicted of murder because of racism. Joe Offer disagreed with my judgment that the thread should be closed. So be it. But I still wish people would use a little critical judgment before deciding that one more version needs to be documented. |
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28 Feb 11 - 10:07 AM (#3104218) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST,D Mills I've really enjoyed reading through all these versions of the song. It's amazing to find there are so many! I was taught it by my father, who in turn was taught it by his father, who was taught it by my great grandfather in London at the turn of the 20th century. I sang it to my Texan partner, who was disgusted by its blatant racism, but there is something ultimately charming about this old-time racist muck! Here's the version I learnt: In China there lived a very great man His name was Chicka-facka-ching-chai-chan His legs were long and his feet were short This Chinese man couldn't walk nor talk Chicka facka ching chai chickalora Bom diddy nora widdy widdy whack Oko oko itti-ai itti-ai tiddly-ai tiddly-ai Chinese talk |
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08 May 11 - 03:03 AM (#3150206) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST There was a man He had a wife Oh, they lived a terrible life She cut off his pigtail that was so long And then she sang a chinese song Chee Chi Chee Chi Chow Chickle errow Wongo Mongo Piggy Wiggy Wearo Hoko Toko hit him on the Koko Chairmy chairmy Chee Chi Chow |
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15 Jun 11 - 12:52 PM (#3171014) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST,Harry Green My sisters sang , piano In Chinatown there lived a great man His name was Chika Raka Rosha Pan His legs were long and his feet were short And the Chinaman couldn't walk at all Catgo toogo I go you go I spy spitigo I spy I spy Chi and co He had two servants to carry him about One was thin and the other was stout They carried him up to the top of the hill Then they rolled him down like a rolling pin Catgo toogo I spy Spitigo Con diddle oram Guinea pig a nag He had two sons and these two sons were brothers One of them died upon his back The other one on his - - - birthday I am trying to find any other old memories scattered around to help complete a few more verses, will be back. |
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28 Apr 12 - 06:23 PM (#3344591) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST,mpsleng in china town there lived a man his name was chuck chuck a ran cancan.his feet were great his toes were small this chinese man cant walk at all.he had two servants to carry him about the people laugh and the people shout here he comes and there he goes the chinese man with the monkey nose .chero charo chuck chuck alero epo nipo muckero dusty candy kay anibo chitibo china. |
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14 Sep 12 - 02:40 PM (#3404670) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST,anon My grandad used to sing this to me and my cousins years ago when we were little - he was in the army in India - don't know if the spelling is correct, but this is what sounded like:- Chicker racka Choo Chaa Chicker racka lor Wandy lora Walla Walla Wah Oko Oko hit him on the boko Idify idify Chinese Man |
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28 Sep 12 - 02:13 PM (#3411451) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST,Fifi I am 95 yrs. old, and grew up in a town with mostly Italian immigrants. When I was about 10 in 1926, a few Chinese immigrants came to town & opened laundromats. They were very nice people, but for some reason back then, we seemed to feel threatened by these new immigrants, & it was then that we started singing songs about China men. Terrible as it was, here is how we sang the China Man song back in the 1920s: Chillabaloo, cha chee chee chaw. Hullaba, hannama, hickama, hannama. Chillabaloo,cha chee chee chaw. Hullaba hannama China man. Once in China, there lived a man, and his name was Chillabachan. His legs were short & his arms were long and this is the way, he used to talk: Chillabaloo, cha chee chee chaw. Hullaba, hannama, hickama, hannama. Chillabaloo, cha chee chee chaw. Hullaba, hannama China man. Once in China, he did die. In his coffin, he did lie. That man's name was Chillabachan. And that was the end of the China man. OOOOhhhh, Chillabaloo cha chee chee chaw. Hullaba, hannama, hickama, hannama. Chillabaloo cha chee chee chaw.Hullaba hannama China man. I think there were one or 2 more verses. If I think of them, I will add them later. As children, we didn't realize we were being offensive. When I think of the nice Chinese people who moved into our strictly Italian neighborhood & had to probably deal with prejudice way beyond our children's songs, it makes me very sad now. |
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12 Feb 13 - 09:23 PM (#3478867) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST,Emily In Chinatown there lived a man and his name was Ching Ling Chan His legs were short and his feet were small It's a wonder that he could walk at all Ching Ling Ching Ling Ching Ling Chan rango tango happy man Do a little disco, rodeo gallopy wallopy chiney-oh Now Ching Ling's heart was filled with love for Miss Sky High who lived above Under her window he would go and sing her a song on his little banjo Ching Ling Ching Ling Ching Ling Chan rango tango happy man Do a little disco, rodeo gallopy wallopy chiney-oh Miss Sky high who lived above held her washboard high above let it fall on Ching Ling Chan and that was the end of the China Man. |
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25 Feb 13 - 02:38 PM (#3483612) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST This is a version of a song that was taught to my Grandmother by her ancestors who immigrated from England to the US in 1868. She was born in 1898. There once in China lived a man whose name was Iko Chico Chicory Chan Ladama Coty Dusty-o Willopee Wallopee Chine-o. One day the people of the town went up the hill to roll him down From top to bottom they all began to tickle and play with the chinaman Ikco Chico Chickery Chan Iko Chico Chinaman Ladama Coty Dusty-o Willopee Wallopee Chine-o. One day the Chinaman did die and in his coffin he did lie They shipped him over to Japan and that was the end of the Chinaman Iko Chico Chickery Chan Iko Chico Chinaman Ladama Coty Dusty-o Willopee Wallopee Chine-o. |
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04 Mar 13 - 03:37 AM (#3486120) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST,dbs Cape Town Once in China there lived a great man, His name was Chikarakka Chee Chi Chan, His legs were long and his feet so short, Poor Chinese man couldn,t walk at all. Chicka lacka che chi cho chickalorum, Pongilorum padawaddi wak, Oko oko hit him on the boko, Hit 'em high, hit him high, Jerico. |
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05 Mar 13 - 03:52 AM (#3486490) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST,JTT The racist songs seem to come from the era of railroad-building and gold mining, when the majority of those working on the rail routes being thrown across the USA were Irish, mostly from the west coast of Ireland, and Chinese. It's said that an Irishman died for every yard of rail track; I'm sure the conditions for the Chinese workmen were even worse. There was intense competition and mutual distrust between the Irish and Chinese workmen, as there was between the Irish and black working people on the east coast after the Civil War when the end of slavery brought highly skilled black plantation workers north in search of work. Such distrust is, of course, useful to those who would exploit working people and is, perhaps unconsciously, often fostered by their agents and enthusiasts. After all, if the Irish and Chinese had got together to demand proper wages and working conditions, where would we be at all? The story of the Chinese gold miner is interesting, because Chinese laundries are (in folk memory) considered to be the only real profit-keepers from the gold rushes of California and the Yukon - laundry was sent on ships to China, washed and returned, I've been told. Following on the Irish Shanty thread and this, could I again request that if there are to be such threads, with their underlying sense of a snigger at racism (not from all posters, of course), they be subsumed into a larger thread on racist songs? Or maybe the drop-down menu of subjects (Lyr Add Request and so on) could include Racist Songs? |
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09 Mar 13 - 12:53 PM (#3488446) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST My Granma's version, sang to me in the early 60's went like this: In China there lived a great man His name was Chickerackerchechichochikororum, bumbtyorum paddy waddy wack Ocko, ocko stick him on his bocko, itimy, itimy cherryrack Here he comes and here he goes, the Chinese man with monkey's nose Chickerackerchechicho |
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09 Mar 13 - 06:39 PM (#3488482) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: Steve Gardham It would be interesting to observe which bits people thought were racist, which simply observational, and which bits simply nonsense. The original song was obviously racist in parts. The actual title was 'The China man with Monkey Nose' which of course is offensive. Does the fact that the word 'Chinaman' is the central focus mean that the song is racist? Try substituting 'Englishman'. Does it work, and is it offensive? |
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22 Mar 14 - 03:37 PM (#3611911) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST,jaxthelass Chickeracka chee chi Chi chokalorum Con de noram Menapee-kat Kat-go too-go itchy Kotchie Kitchikoo Acha-bi China man, Chi nee koo. |
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27 Jun 14 - 06:32 PM (#3637219) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST,Colin My mother sang a version of this nonsense song to me as a child in the 1960s :) Obviously it exists in myriad forms. Here is hers: Chickarackah choochai chang chickolorum Boomtahlorum waddy waddy wah Oko Poko hit him on the iddygo Tiddywa tiddywah sheepeecoo In old Peking there lived a funny man His name was Chickarackah choochai chang His arms were long but his legs were short Poor Chinese couldn't walk or talk Chickarackah choochai chang chickolorum Boomtahlorum waddy waddy wah Oko Poko hit him on the iddygo Tiddywa tiddywah sheepeecoo His parents used to carry him about Upon their back where he could shout Here he comes and there he goes The Chinaman with the big fat nose Chickarackah choochai chang chickolorum Boomtahlorum waddy waddy wah Oko Poko hit him on the iddygo Tiddywa tiddywah sheepeecoo |
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01 Dec 14 - 08:37 PM (#3681610) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST My father used to sing this nonsence song when we were young (1950's) but china man had become Japanese man (post WW2). Colins words are closest, we sang, In Japanese land there lived a big man ....... his nose was long and his feet were short, his servants used to carry him about upon their backs where he would shout....... chorus went something with a chow chikka al lore...... this japanese man couldnt walk at all They rolled him up to the top of the hill and rolled him down like a .. My memory is not what I would like, and I realise the racsist humour now, but as kids it was fun to hear my dad entertaining us with this catchy tune and fun lyrics which at that time to us was nonsence |
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24 Jun 15 - 12:54 PM (#3718720) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST So why don't you just go do something else? |
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24 Jun 15 - 01:08 PM (#3718726) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST My post above was to the guy who was complaining about there being so many posts. Here's the version I heard my mom sing when I was a kid. Found similar ones above, but nothing the same. This was in the late 30's. I guess she made up the parts that were not clear to her: There lived in China a very great man. His name was Chingerie Ching Chiann. His head was large and his feet were small. This Chinaman couldn't walk at all. Chingerie Chingle My Golday. Tiddle dee dee come happy may. To be isky imy oh. Scallopin wallopin Chineo. The ladies from the very next town Came up the hill to roll him down. From head to food they all began To tumble and toss this Chinaman. Chorus again. I think there were more verses but I can't remember them. |
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24 Jun 15 - 01:49 PM (#3718734) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: Joe Offer It's a cute song, but it's also very racist. I guess that's why it's so insidious, and why so many of us react so negatively to it. All the pickaninny stuff was cute, too - but demeaning. -Joe- |
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09 Apr 16 - 08:32 AM (#3784372) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST Thanks for this. This is the one my Mom taught us. We lived in Oklahoma. She was a teacher. |
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14 Jun 17 - 01:33 PM (#3860840) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST Thank you so much my mother passed and now I have a grandchild I wanted to sing it to him but forget half the words |
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08 Jul 17 - 08:29 PM (#3865158) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST,Guest Thanks to all who shared their versions. Folklorists will treasure these posts! |
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09 Jul 17 - 01:17 PM (#3865275) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: Steve Gardham They certainly will, Guest, but posters, please don't forget to give where & when you first heard your version and any other relevant details. |
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21 Apr 20 - 05:30 PM (#4047497) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST,Brian James This was handed down to me by my grandma who was born in 1908.
His legs were long, his feet were small, the China man couldn't walk at all. The neighbours, they used to carry him out, upon their backs; the folks would shout: "here he comes, there he goes, the China man with a monkey nose". Chicalachoo choochali, nickapan, nickapan, panky pan, pegersty wigersty, canty cay, chanago anago anago way. |
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22 Apr 20 - 05:50 AM (#4047583) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: Steve Gardham All very good adding versions to this thread, but I think anyone wanting to perpetuate it without editing it needs to at least think about the implications. Brian, where? |
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26 Feb 22 - 07:58 PM (#4137907) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST,Bill In China town there lived a man His name was Chikalee Chikalee Chan His feet were long and his toes were short and this is the way that Chinaman talked Ohhhh, Chikalee Che Cha Li Cha lo Chikalee Walika in the Bananica Walika Walika chenesee In the Bananica watchsa And this old man and he did die and in his coffin he did lie they sent him back to old Japan and this is the way his epitaph ran Ohhh,Chikalee Che Cha Li Cha lo Chikalee Walika in the Bananica Walika Walika chenesee In the Bananica watcha |
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03 Oct 25 - 09:23 PM (#4229631) Subject: RE: Origins: In Chinaland there lived a great man From: GUEST,Dena jaggers From head to toe they all began to tumble and toss this chinaman. My Father who was born in 1923 would sing this song to me and my sister. Does anyone know anything about a song with this line in it? He didn’t ever tell us where it came from he thinks his childhood. He was the youngest of 6 and his oldest sister was 20 years older than him. |