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Chicky Chicky Boom

from Slow Night by Larry Long | Produced by Cory Wong

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about

Chicky-Chicky Boom was written in honor of Papa Chic Milton Douglas

"My name is Milton 'Papa Chic' Douglas. I was born January 1, 1900. We had to go to school over in the bottoms. We walked to school. Just for fun we would jump rope and sing "Skip to the Lou, My Darling." I worked in the mines before the union was organized. All I got paid was a dollar and a dime for 12 hour wages. The harder I worked the more the boss man made. Lunch was in a bucket. Cornbread and white meat every day. Times are so much better now. To get ahead you've got to learn to walk behind.

Photograph of Papa Chic Milton Douglas by Andrew Goetz.

*Chicky Chicky Boom was written in honor of Papa Chic Milton Douglas with youth from Oakman, Alabama through a partnership with PACERS SMALL SCHOOL COOPERATIVE, University of Alabama, and Community Celebration of Place (www.communitycelebration.org). First release of Chicky Chicky Boom was on Well May The World Go by Larry Long on Smithsonian Folkways Recording (SFW 40114)

lyrics

Chicky-Chicky-Boom

Worked in the mines
Before the union
Was organized
All I got paid
A dollar and a dime
Twelve hours wages
The harder I worked
The more the boss man made

Chicky-Chicky-Boom

Cut pine knots
To start a fire
Tapping with his third leg
Down on the floor
Singing and praying
It would be better
Everybody listen
A whole lot more

Chicky-Chicky-Boom

On Sunday morning
Rode in the wagon
Kerosene lantern
Hanging on the side
Walk behind the wagon
Just to come a running
To get ahead
Got to learn to walk behind

Chicky-Chicky-Boom

Had to go to school
Over in the bottoms
Just for fun
The `Do-Right Cafe'
We would jump rope
To `Skip To The Lou, My Darling'
Go around the sunshine
Each & every day

Chicky-Chicky-Boom

Get back track
Grease in the bucket
Corn bread and white meat
Each and every day
Times are so much better
When I come along
That's about all
This old man has to say

Chicky-Chicky-Boom

Words & music by Larry Long
Copyright Larry Long 1995 / BMI, Renewed 2018
Collectively written with students from Oakman, Alabama.
All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

credits

from Slow Night, released January 1, 2019
Larry Long: Lead Vocal, Harmonica
Antwaun Stanley: Background Vocal
Cory Wong: Electric Guitar
Kevin Gastonguay: Keyboards
Joe Savage: Pedal Steel
Yohannes Tona: Bass
Petar Janjic: Drums
Michael Nelson: Trombone, Arranger
Kenni Holmen: Saxophone
Steve Strand: Trumpet 1
Adam Meckler: Trumpet 2

Producer: Cory Wong
Recording Engineer: Matt Patrick, Library Recording Studio
Mixing Engineer: John Fields
Mastering: Cory Wong

ON THE WEB: www.larrylong.org

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about

Larry Long image

Larry Long Minneapolis, Minnesota

Larry Long is a chip off the old block of American hardwoods, a spoken
word poet, a singer-songwriter, rouser, seeker, storyteller and
conservationist. Well traveled across the world, wherever he
goes, he celebrates people and places in song.

Larry Long is a recipient of the prestigious In The Spirit of Crazy Horse Award for his work in forgotten communities.

www.larrylong.org ... more

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