Re: Another song
Charlie Thorpe (charlie2@RO.COM)
Wed, 24 Jul 1996 19:35:15 -0600
Hello Rob -
A while back you said:
>I am now looking for another song that I heard.
>
>It's alot like flea
>
>It starts something like
>
>whata ka chu (crowd echoes)
>
>I don't know the rest
>
>I know there is a line somewhere in there about
>
>It'n bit'n little kitten
I recognised the song right away! A good Scouting friend used to enjoy
teaching that particular song to our Troop. Although it seems daunting at
first, the kids quickly learn it and all have great fun showing off their
memory gymnastics.
My friend (Mike Reeves) has moved up to yankeeland and, while he isn't on
this list, is still on the net. I forwarded your request to him when I
first read your posting. I know that you have gotten an excellent
description of the song already, but I just got a reply from Mike and
thought that I would post his alternate spelling <g>.
------------------------< start of Mike's message >--------------------
Charlie,
I'm glad to help. Please tell Rob that as far as I know, the "song" he
refers to is actually a cheer (for lack of a better word) that originated at
Chesterfield Scout Reservation in Chesterfield, Massachusetts (Great Trails
Council). At Chesterfield, the cheer is painted across the entire end wall
inside the dining hall as a single word. Please don't hold me responsible
for exact spelling - this is from memory! You'd best open up your screen to
see the entire word:
Otenbotenlittledotenittenbittenlittledittenishbittledeotendotenbodoskedeetendo
ttenwatatenchu!
I think it's the Mohawk Indian word for "There's a skunk in the camp!"
In pieces, it's
Oten-boten-little-doten-itten-bitten-little-ditten-ish-bittle-de-oten-doten-bo
-do-ske-deeten-dotten-wat-at-en-chu.
It takes a little practice, but you can say this word! (Actually, it's
easier to pronounce than "Thermonuclear chrysanthemum!") Pronunciation:
"O's" are long (oh) in "Oten", "boten", and "doten"; short (ah) in "dotten".
Watatenchu is pronounced "watt-aht-en-choo". Everything else is pronounced
as it looks.
The full word should be spoken as fast as possible, without a breath of
course, and as loud as possible. It's often used as an icebreaker by the
songleader at the start of a campfire, as follows:
Leader - Watatenchu!
Scouts - Watatenchu!
Leader - Bodoskedeetendotten, watatenchu!
Scouts - Bodoskedeetendotten, watatenchu!
Leader - Ishbittledeotendotenbodoskedeetendottenwatatenchu!
Scouts - Ishbittledeotendotenbodoskedeetendottenwatatenchu!
Leader -
Otenbotenlittledotenittenbittenlittledittenishbittledeotendotenbodoskedeetendo
ttenwatatenchu!
Scouts -
Otenbotenlittledotenittenbittenlittledittenishbittledeotendotenbodoskedeetendo
ttenwatatenchu!
Boy, do I miss this stuff! Gotta get involved again... Be Prepared!
Mike
--------------------< end of Mike's message >-----------------------
If any Troop up in the Cherry Hill, NJ area needs a good Scouter (just an
hour a week!), be sure to let me know. Mike appears to be going thru
withdrawel pangs! Good luck with the song...it's a hoot <g>.
y'all come,
Charlie II
charlie2@ro.com Huntsville,Al
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
