Re: Boston Charlie

Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports
1

In a search for the words to the largely unknown third verse to Pogo’s “Deck us All,” I came upon this column from 1981: What are the lyrics to Walt Kelly’s classic carol, “Deck Us All With Boston Charlie”? - The Straight Dope

What in the everlovin’ blue-eyed world was Cecil drinking when he wrote down Verse Two? All the lines are there, but in an order as jumbled as a parson in a psaltry, which fails to adhere to the required ABAB CBCB rhyme scheme. Here, in case anyone happens to find this thread, are the words in correct order:

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 Cantaloupe, ‘lope with you!
Chollie’s collie barks at Barrow,
Harum scarum five alarm bung-a-loo!

2

The word in the last line is “alarum,” which it has to be to scan.

3

I have a collection of Pogo books from that era. Some repeat poetry from earlier works, and not all versions are complete or identical. Cecil may have picked the first one he saw, or perhaps the one he liked.

Also, if you read the actual cartoons, alternate verses and lines are often suggested by the characters. To them, nothing was sacred, thank Kelly.

[Insert pix of the “Fort Mudge” scow here]