Hokey Pokey

Funny, Happenings with the Hokey Pokey

The Hokey Pokey was probably written by Larry LaPrise in 1949. 

The funny thing was that when poor Larry LaPrise died in 1996 aged 83, they had a problem getting him in his coffin.  Here is what happened.

You put your left leg in,
you put your left leg out
And you shake it all about.

Larry's band were called the Ram Trio and the other members were Charles Macak, and Tafit Baker.  LaPrise had no more hits.  While that in itself is no reason to suppose he lifted the song from earlier artists, there is evidence that it was heavily influenced by the Okey - Cokey sung by American GIs in 1945 and before. 

Edward Deming's has claim to the theme with his Shaker song Hinkum-Booby which had similar lyrics.  Anyway, here is the complete version that was recorded in 1949 and attributed to Larry LaPrise.

Ducks Try The Hokey Pokey

See more funny duck pictures here

Hokey Pokey - Hocus Pocus - Phobus Boloney

It is now claimed that the Hokey Pokey is a Puritan song which mocks the Catholics.  The controversy has erupted because Catholics claim the ditty was composed by Puritans during the 18th century to mock the language and actions used by priests at Mass.

What is true is that supporters of Rangers, (a soccer club in Glasgow, Scotland) have been banned from singing sectarian songs at their home ground at Ibrox.  Politicians have asked the police to arrest anyone caught singing the song in a sectarian context, on the grounds that it incites religious hatred.

'This song does have quite disturbing origins. It was devised as an attack on, and a parody of, the Catholic Mass,' said Peter Kearney, a spokesman for the Catholic church in Scotland. 'If there are moves to restore its more malevolent meaning then consideration should perhaps be given to its wider use.'

SNP MSP Michael Matheson said: 'It is important that the police and football clubs are aware of the sinister background to this song, and take the appropriate action against individuals and groups who use it at matches or in other situations to taunt Catholics.'

The church claims that the title derives from 'hocus-pocus', which itself is derived from the Eucharist, 'hoc est enim corpus meum', or 'this is my body'.  Thus they claim singing the 'Hokey Pokey' is an attempt to ridicule Catholic Mass.

While racial and religious was at one time rife at soccer games, and it has rightly been stamped out; it would seem best if Catholics simply ignore the Ranger's chant.  The connection between the Hokey Pokey and Hocus Pocus is tenuous, and the connection between Hocus Pocus and 'hoc est enim corpus meum' had been forgotten - if it ever existed.

Here is the Hokey Pokey so that you can judge if there are any words, or even connotations, of religious abuse.

Hokey Pokey Song

You put your right foot in,
You put your right foot out;
You put your right foot in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey,

And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!

You put your left foot in,
You put your left foot out;
You put your left foot in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!

You put your right hand in,
You put your right hand out;
You put your right hand in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!

You put your left hand in,
You put your left hand out;
You put your left hand in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!

You put your right side in,
You put your right side out;
You put your right side in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!

You put your left side in,
You put your left side out;
You put your left side in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!

You put your nose in,
You put your nose out;
You put your nose in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!

You put your backside in,
You put your backside out;
You put your backside in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!

You put your head in,
You put your head out;
You put your head in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!

You put your whole self in,
You put your whole self out;
You put your whole self in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about

• Friday Home

See more funny performers and amusing artists:

• Artists   • Springboard   • Pool dominoes trick shot   • Piano balls   • Tallest man

• Unexpected knowledge from movies   • Hokey Pokey   • Mime   • Budgie Einstein

• Funny Ironing Board   • Stand-up comedy   • Horn player   • Night Clubs   • Home

Good, clean, free jokes.  One-liners, short funny jokes.  Have a laugh, enjoy a chuckle, bring a smile to your face.  Will and Guy hope that you share our sense of humour (or humor).