I do so miss Walt Kelly. Opening the paper to the comics for POGO was first on my list when I woke up. 72 years old now and I remember my uncle Joe singing this song and all of us kids laughing. Glad I found it to pass on. R.I.P. Walt, you brought so much joy to so many that I know there is a special place for you in Heaven.
Pogo was 1 of my dads favorite comic strips, and he would say the first line at least once during the Christmas season, or when someone said something about singing a Christmas carol, or would start singing Deck The Halls. I miss my dad ❤
Wow I remember seeing the words published in the Sunday paper and trying to sing along with it and hopelessly failing now I hear it and it's raw splendor and I feel so holidayific
Best played at 1.75 speed, to ensure you are overwhelmed as the lyrics race past. So great to hear the whole mad thing. Gaggin on the wagon willy folly go through!
Hey! You've exposed some of my best internet passwords! So amazingly wonderful! Thank you so much for creating and posting this. These are the most lyrics I've ever seen/heard, and I never knew it was sung and recorded! I couldn't even imagine Pogo on UA-cam except for maybe a bio of Walt Kelly. You have made my Christmas! ~paid for by the Lower Hudson Valley Glee and Perloo Society~
I believe the two specials are on UA-cam. Both "I Go Pogo" and "Special Birthday Special". I know many fans hate the latter, but it's not *that* bad. Doesn't keep to the spirit of the comic, but if you've never read the comic, it's a fun little romp. Only thing that ticked me off about it was there are a couple of voice-over goofs (Churchy says a line in Howland's voice) and the fact they don't send an invitation to Porkypine.
Thank you, thank you, and thank you again. About ten years ago, I tried to get a friend of mine who was the university choir director to record this for me. He put me off until we both retired and moved away. I finally will get to play the audio on my weekly folk music radio show for the holidays this year. It's a shame that I can't share the illustrations with my listeners as well.
Yahul Wagoni They sing, "good King Wenceslas looked out on his feets uneven! While the snoo lay ..." Under singers is a sock and a bat poking it with a stick, saying Out get out, the bat in the sock says "What's snoo?" The other says "I dunno, what's snoo with you?". All that in two pictures! His stuff always made itself at home in my head; it lives in all kinds of funny corners!
I remember singing this when I was a kid. This and We three kings of orient are trying to smoke a rubber cigar. It was loaded, it exploded, now we’re kings of yonder star. Do kids still sing these?
Thank you, Arnie. My Dad was a big POGO fan, and hooked me on Kelly's gentle humor and rich illustration style when I was a toddler. Kelly's work is unique in all the history of comic strips: even the most topical gags wear well and remain timely almost fifty years after his passing. I GO POGO!
According to Wilbur Eveland, a good friend of Kelly's, "Pogo" was popular with all kinds of people, including prison inmates. It was in tribute to them that Kelly included jail references in DUAWBC. Walla Walla, Kalamazoo, Pensacola and Louisville are the sites of state prisons. "Boston Charlie" was the name given to all guards in prisons. "Boston" may have been a throwback to the days of the original colonies. "Nora" is the cognomen given to the sexual partners of male prison inmates, and the "trolley" is the wire that convicts string between cells in order to pass notes to each other. A person in the "freezer" is in solitary confinement, so Nora was not only not communicating, he/she had been placed in solitary.
Thx for keepin’ it real ALONGSIDE keepin’ life going (written in hopes they all won’t tear the nation asunder before next year - 2024 - reaches its end). Stop carbon before it stops EVERYTHING… Yours in love and understanding Dec. 23, 2023 11:55pm ET.
As a little boy, I would read "Nora's freezin' on the trolley" and laugh and laugh while showing it to my mom. Her name was Nora, and I thought it meant her.
Walt Kelly's old comic strip "Pogo" had an unusual version of the Christmas carol "Deck the Halls." According to Kelly’s posthumous chroniclers, there were six complete verses for “Boston Charlie”: Deck us all with Boston Charlie, Walla Walla, Wash., an’ Kalamazoo! Nora’s freezin’ on the trolley, Swaller dollar cauliflower alley-garoo! Don’t we know archaic barrel Lullaby Lilla Boy, Louisville Lou? Trolley Molly don’t love Harold, Boola boola Pensacoola hullabaloo! Bark us all bow-wows of folly, Polly wolly cracker ‘n’ too-da-loo! Donkey Bonny brays a carol, Antelope Cantaloupe, ‘lope with you! Hunky Dory’s pop is lolly, Gaggin’ on the wagon, Willy, folly go through! Chollie’s collie barks at Barrow, Harum scarum five alarm bung-a-loo! Dunk us all in bowls of barley, Hinky dinky dink an’ polly voo! Chilly Filly’s name is Chollie, Chollie Filly’s jolly chilly view halloo! Bark us all bow-wows of folly, Double-bubble, toyland trouble! Woof, woof, woof! Tizzy seas on melon collie! Dibble-dabble, scribble-scrabble! Goof, goof, goof! Fractured Christmas carols were a regular feature of Kelly’s holiday strips. www.straightdope.com/columns/read/458/what-are-the-lyrics-to-walt-kellys-classic-carol-deck-us-all-with-boston-charlie/
Kind UA-camrs, please allow me to put in my two cents. I was born in 56, and began to be aware of my surroundings in the mid-60s. Walt was at his height in that era, then, as I got into High School in the early 70s, he died unfortunately, in 73. I was barely politically Savvy, beginning to understand who Hoover, Agnew and a couple of the others are. It is so sad that I was not old and mature enough, to appreciate him more when he was alive. I have bought many of his collection- collected stories, and I still read them with fascination. What I wouldn't give to have Mr. Kelly alive today, and his strip was still in syndication. Thank you all for putting up these comments.
We need Walt Kelly. These are the souls that try our moods. Pogo could run for President of these Acrimonious Fragmented States. Merry Season to all and to all be thankful for higher taxes and a dysfunctional system to collect same. Perhaps our Heavenly Father is rethinking the Incarnation. Blessings all ‘round. Chris
@1:44 I wonder if that's where Smashing Pumpkins for the title for their 3rd album? upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/76/The_Smashing_Pumpkins_-_Mellon_Collie_And_The_infinite_Sadness.jpg
Nora's freezing on the trolley - I guess the T (Boston's transit system) was no better back then than it is now. And Boston Charlie is still riding forever 'neath the streets of Boston. Or, in my experience, waiting forever.
@@arniegubins4951 Probably worse today, at least in my experience of 10-15 years ago. I didn't get on a train one July because the operator could not turn the heat off. Probably can't turn off the AC in the winter.
Interesting comment - I never actually checked the order of the verses as they were originally written. When I made this video what I did first was to find on-line a group that was singing the verses and then to look for images from the web (and from my own books) to match their arrangement.
Peter86H; I've seen several comments here about how slow the tempo is. I'm wondering, how is it supposed to go? I've only ever heard it at this tempo. The Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross version is performed at this tempo until they go into all of that "bee bo de scoobie doobie" horseshit.
I do so miss Walt Kelly. Opening the paper to the comics for POGO was first on my list when I woke up. 72 years old now and I remember my uncle Joe singing this song and all of us kids laughing. Glad I found it to pass on. R.I.P. Walt, you brought so much joy to so many that I know there is a special place for you in Heaven.
...I'm 74..and read this every Christmas season...
We did this version for our elementary school choir. This really brings me back.
Pogo was 1 of my dads favorite comic strips, and he would say the first line at least once during the Christmas season, or when someone said something about singing a Christmas carol, or would start singing Deck The Halls. I miss my dad ❤
This song was a staple on my Christmas radio show. Wish I had this version! Thanks!
Thank you! I've thought of this so often and haven't seen it in literally decades. Pogo was one of the greatest strips of the 20th century.
I've waited almost 65 years to hear what this sounds like. At least I'm nearly 65 years older than I was when it didn't make sense then either.
better late than never
Wow I remember seeing the words published in the Sunday paper and trying to sing along with it and hopelessly failing now I hear it and it's raw splendor and I feel so holidayific
Always loved this. Also Good King Sauerkraut.
I've know the 1st verse forever, but never heard the rest of it. Fantastic! Take that, Mariah Carey
Great to find multiple verses!
We have met the genius, and he is -- Walt Kelly
I was singing this at work all day Thursday, got some strange looks.
Thank You so much for posting this!!
Thanks. I never checked the UA-cam settings function icon to see that you can chamge the viewing speeds. Learned something new
Best played at 1.75 speed, to ensure you are overwhelmed as the lyrics race past. So great to hear the whole mad thing. Gaggin on the wagon willy folly go through!
Singing this song was a Christmas tradition with my family.
My kinda song
In my family, we didn't all sing it, just my father. Then me.
I have no words (though they do) :)
It's hard to beat the classics when it comes to Christmas music. Let us all hoist a flagon of egg nog in memory of Walt Kelly!
they asked me how i knew, raccoon shit is blue
there stands the glass
IDFK303 Aye!
How about an archaic barrel of egg nog?
The flagon with the dragon?
At 83 I'm so glad to find the lyrics after singing the first verse only for 60 years.l. I We sure could use Walt now in the MAGA era.
Good night, Walt Kelly, Wherever you are!
Maybe he is with Mrs. Calabash?
Hey! You've exposed some of my best internet passwords!
So amazingly wonderful! Thank you so much for creating and posting this. These are the most lyrics I've ever seen/heard, and I never knew it was sung and recorded! I couldn't even imagine Pogo on UA-cam except for maybe a bio of Walt Kelly. You have made my Christmas! ~paid for by the Lower Hudson Valley Glee and Perloo Society~
Duck the salty
Boss in sorry
Sorry sorry kraut
And sauer stew!
--- Walt Kelly
I believe the two specials are on UA-cam. Both "I Go Pogo" and "Special Birthday Special". I know many fans hate the latter, but it's not *that* bad. Doesn't keep to the spirit of the comic, but if you've never read the comic, it's a fun little romp. Only thing that ticked me off about it was there are a couple of voice-over goofs (Churchy says a line in Howland's voice) and the fact they don't send an invitation to Porkypine.
@@PatrickRsGhost Thanks for the konk on the bean! I'll start searching for them right away!
One of my brother's favorite comic strips. Miss ya, John
Beautiful! Just beatiful!
Thank you!!! I loved this strip, and loved this carol, wondered if anyone had ever recorded it. So pleased to find this!!
Thank you, thank you, and thank you again. About ten years ago, I tried to get a friend of mine who was the university choir director to record this for me. He put me off until we both retired and moved away. I finally will get to play the audio on my weekly folk music radio show for the holidays this year. It's a shame that I can't share the illustrations with my listeners as well.
I could cry hearing this and thinking of Walt! Funny, if I was given the opportunity to meet anyone, Walt would be the one.
I feel the same!
we DESPERATELY need this man back ! ! !
George B. Wolffsohn I’d love to see his take on Trump!
Yes! Can you imagine how Walt Kelly would skewer the orange shitstain?
Today, no matter the political party, Walt's expression is still true - We have met the enemy, and he is us.
Great memories
I never knew there were 2 more verses! Memorization time!!!
A work of nearly divine inspiration. Good King Sauerkraut look out!
Yahul Wagoni They sing, "good King Wenceslas looked out on his feets uneven! While the snoo lay ..." Under singers is a sock and a bat poking it with a stick, saying Out get out, the bat in the sock says "What's snoo?" The other says "I dunno, what's snoo with you?". All that in two pictures! His stuff always made itself at home in my head; it lives in all kinds of funny corners!
I remember singing this when I was a kid. This and We three kings of orient are trying to smoke a rubber cigar. It was loaded, it exploded, now we’re kings of yonder star. Do kids still sing these?
We has met the enemy and he is us . Thanks Walt .
Wonderful! We always bought my father a Pogo book at Christmas and the laughter lasted the whole year through. Thank you so much for posting!
Glad everyone is enjoying this. I grew up with the newspaper cartoons and book compilations.
Thank you, Arnie.
My Dad was a big POGO fan, and hooked me on Kelly's gentle humor and rich illustration style when I was a toddler.
Kelly's work is unique in all the history of comic strips: even the most topical gags wear well and remain timely almost fifty years after his passing.
I GO POGO!
Walt Kelly was a genius. Thank goodness we have Berkley Breathed and Gary Trudeau to pick up the slack.
Don't forget Gary Larson!
@@charleshealy341 Gary Larson is semi retired, and Bill Watterson is 97% retired.
Been trying to find this one for awhile,,,,thanks
Fantabulous. Thank you and play it often, I will do my part.
According to Wilbur Eveland, a good friend of Kelly's, "Pogo" was popular with all kinds of people, including prison inmates. It was in tribute to them that Kelly included jail references in DUAWBC. Walla Walla, Kalamazoo, Pensacola and Louisville are the sites of state prisons. "Boston Charlie" was the name given to all guards in prisons. "Boston" may have been a throwback to the days of the original colonies. "Nora" is the cognomen given to the sexual partners of male prison inmates, and the "trolley" is the wire that convicts string between cells in order to pass notes to each other. A person in the "freezer" is in solitary confinement, so Nora was not only not communicating, he/she had been placed in solitary.
Wow. Thanks for all this info. I didn't know any of it.
Thx for keepin’ it real ALONGSIDE keepin’ life going (written in hopes they all won’t tear the nation asunder before next year - 2024 - reaches its end). Stop carbon before it stops EVERYTHING…
Yours in love and understanding Dec. 23, 2023 11:55pm ET.
Walt Kelly: inimitable and immortal. Ho, bus!
As a little boy, I would read "Nora's freezin' on the trolley" and laugh and laugh while showing it to my mom. Her name was Nora, and I thought it meant her.
Arnie, this is the first time I've read your narrative accompanying the video. Thanks for posting. I think we all miss Roger a great deal.
Walt Kelly's old comic strip "Pogo" had an unusual version of the Christmas carol "Deck the Halls." According to Kelly’s posthumous chroniclers, there were six complete verses for “Boston Charlie”:
Deck us all with Boston Charlie,
Walla Walla, Wash., an’ Kalamazoo!
Nora’s freezin’ on the trolley,
Swaller dollar cauliflower alley-garoo!
Don’t we know archaic barrel
Lullaby Lilla Boy, Louisville Lou?
Trolley Molly don’t love Harold,
Boola boola Pensacoola hullabaloo!
Bark us all bow-wows of folly,
Polly wolly cracker ‘n’ too-da-loo!
Donkey Bonny brays a carol,
Antelope Cantaloupe, ‘lope with you!
Hunky Dory’s pop is lolly,
Gaggin’ on the wagon, Willy, folly go through!
Chollie’s collie barks at Barrow,
Harum scarum five alarm bung-a-loo!
Dunk us all in bowls of barley,
Hinky dinky dink an’ polly voo!
Chilly Filly’s name is Chollie,
Chollie Filly’s jolly chilly view halloo!
Bark us all bow-wows of folly,
Double-bubble, toyland trouble! Woof, woof, woof!
Tizzy seas on melon collie!
Dibble-dabble, scribble-scrabble! Goof, goof, goof!
Fractured Christmas carols were a regular feature of Kelly’s holiday strips.
www.straightdope.com/columns/read/458/what-are-the-lyrics-to-walt-kellys-classic-carol-deck-us-all-with-boston-charlie/
Wonderful , uplifting! Dear dear Water Crawford is smiling somewhere at your effort here. So am I. Merry Christmas 😊
GREAT FUN!!! AWESOME!
Thanks dad and my grandpa for letting me know about this classic.
Great fun and clever word use to fit the tune.
Kind UA-camrs, please allow me to put in my two cents. I was born in 56, and began to be aware of my surroundings in the mid-60s. Walt was at his height in that era, then, as I got into High School in the early 70s, he died unfortunately, in 73. I was barely politically Savvy, beginning to understand who Hoover, Agnew and a couple of the others are. It is so sad that I was not old and mature enough, to appreciate him more when he was alive. I have bought many of his collection- collected stories, and I still read them with fascination. What I wouldn't give to have Mr. Kelly alive today, and his strip was still in syndication. Thank you all for putting up these comments.
Excellent!!!!
Thank you! I needed this.
We all do.
Fantastic! Great work. Thanks for this (:
That’s 2 min of my life I’ll never get back
Tis the season...........!
Tis always the season for spreading this genius as far as possible!
Can you believe there are people who never heard of him?
Oh thank you thank you--was unfamiliar with the later verses.
Of all (forcefully) revived franchises in recent years, please don't anyone touch this one.
Duck the salty boss in sorry sorry sorry kraut and sauer stew!
These folks turned a funny tune into a dirge!
Anthony Ginther; The faux-formality is part of the joke, isn't it?
We need Walt Kelly. These are the souls that try our moods. Pogo could run for President of these Acrimonious Fragmented States. Merry Season to all and to all be thankful for higher taxes and a dysfunctional system to collect same. Perhaps our Heavenly Father is rethinking the Incarnation. Blessings all ‘round. Chris
There was a POGO FOR PRESIDENT campaign some years ago.
We need him.
NOW MORE THAN EVER!
@1:44 I wonder if that's where Smashing Pumpkins for the title for their 3rd album?
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/76/The_Smashing_Pumpkins_-_Mellon_Collie_And_The_infinite_Sadness.jpg
I've never seen all the verses in one place before.
Nora's freezing on the trolley - I guess the T (Boston's transit system) was no better back then than it is now. And Boston Charlie is still riding forever 'neath the streets of Boston. Or, in my experience, waiting forever.
I hope Boston has modernized the trolley heating system since the Pogo days.
@@arniegubins4951 Probably worse today, at least in my experience of 10-15 years ago. I didn't get on a train one July because the operator could not turn the heat off. Probably can't turn off the AC in the winter.
@@arniegubins4951 Not since I have been on it. They have newer trolleys but they are not very good.
Modernized it, but with crappy technology@@arniegubins4951
Sung a little slow but wonderful to hear!
I switched the UA-cam playback speed to 1.75x and it was just right!
I thought so too, but when I went back to read the words and look at the pictures I needed the slower tempo.
You've gotten a couple of lines in verse 2 mixed up.
I'm not familiar with verse 3, but the middle two lines also sound transposed.
Interesting comment - I never actually checked the order of the verses as they were originally written. When I made this video what I did first was to find on-line a group that was singing the verses and then to look for images from the web (and from my own books) to match their arrangement.
the lyrics are genius. the rendition is a bit joyless.
Pick up the tempo, please. 😆😂🤣🥲. I always thought that ’Boston Charlie’ was a reference to an Old Mr. Boston mixed drink.
Peter86H; I've seen several comments here about how slow the tempo is. I'm wondering, how is it supposed to go? I've only ever heard it at this tempo. The Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross version is performed at this tempo until they go into all of that "bee bo de scoobie doobie" horseshit.
@@bessied.5694 Uptempo is happier. I’m more interested in what “Boston Charlie” means. I think it’s a drink.