Ying tong ying tong ying tong ying tong ying tong iddle-i po.

December 4, 2011 10:54 PM

Here is, um, something. Something silly, from the Goons. Here it is again. And here it is from the Muppets. And here it is in a bookstore at a signing by one of the Goons. More nonsense. And more. (← my favorite) And yet more. Okay, just one more.

Why it's the Ying-Tong Song!

If any of you can find it, one of the very best episodes of The Muppet Show is the one where Spike Milligan is guest.

posted by JHarris (15 comments total)

This one really pushed me to keep it brief. I ♥ few things more than quality nonsense.
posted by JHarris at 10:57 PM on December 4, 2011 [3 favorites]

Here are the lyrics, if you want to sing along.

(Chorus) Ying tong ying tong Ying tong ying tong Ying tong
iddle I po, Ying tong ying tong Ying tong ying
tong (bluebottle drops behind) Ying tong iddle I po

There's some other stuff, but then a refrain:

Ying tong ying tong Ying tong iddle I po (lad) Iddle I po (lad)
Ying tong ying tong Ying tong (Sprigs: iddle)
(Bluebottle: ying tong) Ying tong iddle I po Ying tong ying tong iddle

A brief exchange, then

Oh! Ying tong ying tong Ying tong ying tong Ying tong iddle I po
Ying tong ying tong Ying tong iddle I po Iddle I po!

This goes on for a while, but it ends magnificently with

Ying tong ying tong Ying tong
ying tong Ying tong iddle I po Ying tong ying tong
Ying tong iddle I po Iddle I po. Ying tong ying tong Ying tong ying
tong Ying tong iddle I po Ying tong ying tong Ying tong
iddle I po Iddle I po.

One: Ying! Tongy tongy tongy. Yiddy diddy diddy da daaa. Ying diddy.
Ying tong diddle. Yiddada boo.

(rhythmic thigh slapping, raspberry)

All: Ying tong ying tong Ying tong iddle Ying tong iddle I po Ying
tong ying tong Ying tong iddle I po Iddle I po.

Bluebottle?: Whoooooh!
posted by twoleftfeet at 11:37 PM on December 4, 2011 [4 favorites]

If any of you can find it, one of the very best episodes of The Muppet Show is the one where Spike Milligan is guest.

Here you go.
posted by twoleftfeet at 11:49 PM on December 4, 2011 [3 favorites]

Hey, don't forget the version by Rock Luminary Jon Anderson of Yes.
posted by oneswellfoop at 12:56 AM on December 5, 2011

The Q5 piano song (the link marked with "my favorite") is very catchy, btw. Beware!
posted by JHarris at 1:40 AM on December 5, 2011

Thank you JHarris, have this photograph of a favourite
posted by mattoxic at 2:45 AM on December 5, 2011 [2 favorites]

This is probably the right point to post The Goon Show's classic "What Time Is It, Eccles" sketch (from "The Mysterious Punch Up The Conker"). Spike Miliigan being incredibly silly, metaphysical, questioning, and riffing with Peter Sellers. ++
posted by ewan at 3:16 AM on December 5, 2011 [1 favorite]

The Ying Tong Song was an anthem in our house for years, and demonstrated the huge gap between that of my Dad and I, and that of mt mother, who disappear muttering when we sang along.

I had the privilege of seeing Spike live in concert, and fell about giggling uncontrollably when he performed the "Deary-Me" sketch, which just consists of the words repeated over and over. You had to be there.
posted by arzakh at 4:29 AM on December 5, 2011 [1 favorite]

I only discovered who Spike Milligan was about a couple of years ago, back during the last MeFi Goon Show post. He's becoming almost a personal hero now.
posted by JHarris at 4:57 AM on December 5, 2011

Sorry, can't watch all these. I'm busy practicing walking backwards. Y'know, for Christmas.
posted by benito.strauss at 7:08 AM on December 5, 2011 [2 favorites]

Oh yes? Myself, I'm promenading sideways through the sewers of the Strand.
posted by Pallas Athena at 7:15 AM on December 5, 2011 [1 favorite]

The Q5 theme was a work of genius. As was the sadly-neglected show.
posted by Decani at 10:16 AM on December 5, 2011 [1 favorite]

You guys, you HAVE to read Spike Milligan's War Diaries. I read them and laughed myself almost to unconsciousness, and pushed them on my husband with the zeal of a newly converted vegan. He resisted me for years because of his inherent contrariness, but when he finally DID start to read them, he came at me about fifteen pages in and said "OK! You were totally right! These are the funniest fucking books I've ever read!"

One of our friends came over and found him on the couch, convulsed in silent laughter, tears running down his face. In an attempt to explain, he said "It's this book. It's about WWII. It's a comedy!" and then fell apart again.
posted by KathrynT at 10:37 AM on December 5, 2011 [2 favorites]

If we're gooning, I have to point to the story about how Milligan met Harry Secombe (second paragraph). I'm getting the war diaries and hoping the they contain more like this.
posted by benito.strauss at 12:05 PM on December 5, 2011

I have to point to the story about how Milligan met Harry Secombe (second paragraph). I'm getting the war diaries and hoping the they contain more like this.
posted by benito.strauss at 8:05 PM on December 5

Oh God, do they ever. And many even funnier. The war diaries are just... look, just get them and read them in order. Don't do so in public unless you don't embarrass easily.
posted by Decani at 11:30 AM on December 8, 2011 [1 favorite]