Pogo Possum Christmas Carol
12 22 2006Deck us all with Boston Charlie,
Walla Walla, Wash., and Kalamazoo!
Nora’s freezin’ on the trolley,
Swaller dollar cauliflower alley-garoo!
Don’t we know archaic barrel,
Lullaby Lily boy, Louisville Lou?
Trolley Molly don’t love Harold,
Boola boola Pensacoola hullabaloo!
…Walt Kelly holds a special place in my heart. And big holiday thanks to my mom and dad for making damn sure I was familiar with Pogo Possum at a very young age.
Bill said:
on January 28, 2007 @ 6:15 pm
IgoPogo!!
TomT. said:
on December 12, 2007 @ 8:12 am
Talk about timely coincidence. I’m a 65 year old geezer living in the foothills of the Rockies above Denver, and while walking the dog at sunrise this morning, I found myself going through the words of the first verse of Walt’s great version of Deck The Halls. It occurred to me that my kids (both in their mid-30s) need to know this version. I was in the process of crafting an email to them when I drew a blank on the second verse. Thanks to Google I found your website. (If I do say so myself, it’s clear your parents skills in raising you were well-focused.) My question: was there a third verse? I don’t recall. And one of those “big holiday thanks” to you for documenting the words.
Moe said:
on November 12, 2008 @ 6:59 am
What a similar coincidence at Tom T.
I also am a 68-year-old geezer who many years ago worked through the night in my photo darkroom (trying to make ends meet) and listening to AM radio (WRVK in Richmond VA.) During the Christmas season, the night DJ would play the Pogo Carol.
I could remember the first few lines, and always sang the phrases for my grandsons.
Now I can surprise them with the “rest of the song.”
Walt Kelly was a genius and Pogo and the rest of the Swamp Gang are a great part of Americana.
moe
Marty said:
on November 30, 2008 @ 12:05 am
Even though I’m only 50, I remember that one!
I often sing the first verse at family holiday gatherings and my nieces and nephews think I’ve lost my mind. Thanks for posting this. Now, I’ll be able to aquuaint the youngsters with this Pogo classic.
Sam said:
on December 9, 2008 @ 7:40 pm
Splendid ! But now, somebody, please, how does Mr. Kelly’s version of “Good King Wenceslaus” go ? The first line, of course, sounds like:
“Good King Wenceslaus looked out,”
and the second line is:
“on his feets uneven. ”
I can remember no more. Anyone who can provide the rest will have my undying gratitude. My email is.
samgelfman@aol.com
Many thanks and happy holidays.
Sam G
David from Canada - a Pogo fan said:
on December 10, 2008 @ 5:51 pm
“When the snoo lay crisp an even”
What’s snoo? I don’t know, what’s snoo with you?”
Have a very Merry Christmas
Bill said:
on December 11, 2008 @ 11:08 am
Okay, in the land of coincidence. I am 65, although far from a geezer–fabulously handsome and youthful–and I live in Lakewood, Colorado–foothills of the Rockies. I too had forgotten the verses. I knew Walt Kelly, a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy, whose flashes of merriment were wont to set the table on a roar (yorick yorick, yorick!!!yuk). I knew him from P.J. Moriarty’s restaurant in New York, where I worked one summer. He was a wry, little man who would let the conversation run round and then quietly drop a bombshell that would, yes, set the table on a roar. Thank you for your site. It came up first on a Google. Let us always remember: ‘When you starves with a tiger, the tiger starves last.’ (An appropriate description of my second wife, who otherwise is not half bad.) Let me see if I’ve got it right: ‘Health half nose furrylike a woman’s corns.’ Indeed.
Mary said:
on December 15, 2008 @ 8:57 pm
I think the first two lines of the Pogo Good King Wenceslaus went like this:
Good Kind Wenceslaus looked down
On his feet uneven
After that, I am at a loss. I’d like to get the rest of it to share with my fellow choristers at St. Dunstan Episcopal, Houston. Anybody remember it?
David said:
on December 15, 2008 @ 9:26 pm
Actually, David from Canada referenced it earlier…
It changed a bit from year to year, but the one I recall best went approximately:
Good King Sauerkraut looked out
On his feets uneven –
While the snoo lay round about,
All kerchoo achievin’.
Then a listening character would ask “Er, what’s ’snoo’?” To which the singer replies, “Nothin’ much, what’s new with you?”
hc said:
on December 17, 2008 @ 10:16 am
I remember the fifth line being, “Don’t we know our cake barrel” Oh Well, time changes all. Merry Holidays All HC
Harry said:
on December 20, 2008 @ 12:24 pm
I remember the King Wenceslas line as”Good King Sauerkraut look out!, On your feets uneven”
Graycat said:
on December 21, 2008 @ 8:51 pm
I’m an old sheezer and found this to share, ENJOY!
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!
Hunky Dory’s pop is lolly gaggin’ on the wagon,
Willy, folly go through!
Donkey Bonny brays a carol,
Antelope Cantaloup, ‘lope with you!
Chollie’s collie barks at Barrow,
Harum scarum five alarum bung-a-loo!
(NOTE: Diligent researchers, including the esteemed
folk-lorist, Professor Jiggs Potlook, have also unearthed
the following partial verses. We make no guarantee
for their authenticity. For further research, kindly
consult Kelly, Walt; Deck Us All With Boston Charlie,
Simon and Schuster, 1963.)
Duck 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!
Tickle salty boss anchovie
Wash a wash a wall Anna Kangaroo
Ducky allus bows to Polly,
Prolly Wally would but har’ly do!
Dock us all a bowsprit, Solly –
Golly, Solly’s cold and so’s ol’ Lou!
http://www.pogopossum.com is © 2008 Kelly Studios · CONTACT US
POGO and all related characters © 2008 OGPI
Glenn said:
on December 28, 2008 @ 4:24 pm
I recall the words:
Good King Sauerkraut looked out
On his feets uneven,
While his nose just run about,
Sniffin’ and a-sneezin’
I was looking for more!