Okee-Pokee-Crack-me-Crown,
King of the Island of Gulp-em-Down
Was thought the finest young fellow in town
When he dressed in his best for the party.
Okaa-Pokaa-Ching-Ma-Ring
Eighteenth wife of the mighty king
Loved her lord above everything
And dressed him up for the party.
Satins and silks the Queen did lack,
But she'd some red paint that looked well on black,
So she painted her lord and master's back
Before he went out to the party.
Crowns and stars, and ships with sails,
And flying dragons with curly tails--
"That's a dress," said the Queen, "that never fails
To charm all folks at a party."
So, painted up till he looked his best,
With pipe in mouth and feather in crest,
Okee-Pokee marched out without a coat or vest,
But yet in full dress, to the party.
(I cannot find my school book that has this poem. I hope this is the complete and unabridged version. Whenever I find my old school text, I will cross-check and make any changes that are required. -Peeves
Update-I found the school book today. I have updated the punctuation and the last two stanzas. I was delighted to finally find the book. -Peeves)
King of the Island of Gulp-em-Down
Was thought the finest young fellow in town
When he dressed in his best for the party.
Okaa-Pokaa-Ching-Ma-Ring
Eighteenth wife of the mighty king
Loved her lord above everything
And dressed him up for the party.
Satins and silks the Queen did lack,
But she'd some red paint that looked well on black,
So she painted her lord and master's back
Before he went out to the party.
Crowns and stars, and ships with sails,
And flying dragons with curly tails--
"That's a dress," said the Queen, "that never fails
To charm all folks at a party."
So, painted up till he looked his best,
With pipe in mouth and feather in crest,
Okee-Pokee marched out without a coat or vest,
But yet in full dress, to the party.
(I cannot find my school book that has this poem. I hope this is the complete and unabridged version. Whenever I find my old school text, I will cross-check and make any changes that are required. -Peeves
Update-I found the school book today. I have updated the punctuation and the last two stanzas. I was delighted to finally find the book. -Peeves)
Hey, I have waited long enough to ever hear this poem! Thanks Peeves!! ;)
ReplyDeleteOMG, this was one of the weirdest and funniest poems in our textbooks, wasn't it?!!
ReplyDelete@vaibhav, you are welcome!
ReplyDelete@simplypallu, it certainly was! I have loved this poem since I learnt it for the first time in school. :)
I was searching for this nostalgic and weirdly funny poem for quite some time until I stumbled upon your blog, courtesy google. Thanks Peeves for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteAmit Deshpande, glad that you could enjoy it once more.
ReplyDeleteYou are the one....thanks a tone for sharing the poem. It is still my favourite poem. Thanks again!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! :)
DeleteI am soooooooo glad that i found this poem. I remember having studied it in class 7 and to my greatest surprise i did remember the 1st 3 stanza´s. However i could not remember the last 2 and have now found it...... It´s surely a EUREKA moment for me !!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad that you found it. Amazing that you could remember half of the poem.
DeleteOne of the reasons I started this blog was for people like you to find the long-learnt and forgotten poems. I think my goal is achieved. :)
Thank you .... have been reciting this unconsciously for over 25 yrs & I couldn't remember all of it. I'm glad you posted this . Although I'm many years late ...my daughter has learnt it from me now
DeleteWhat's the author's name?
ReplyDeleteThis poem has no author as it is an 'Anonymous' poem, we had this in the 7th standard & at end of the poem it was written 'Anonymous'.
DeleteThis poem has no author as it is an 'Anonymous' poem, we had this in the 7th standard & at end of the poem it was written 'Anonymous'.
DeleteMuch appreciated Peeves.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks. It was in my school book -- called the Blue or the Purple or the something Book of Poetry, which I read something like 65 years ago in Karachi, Pakistan. I am delighted that someone found it and had the kindness to put it on the web. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteThen only one I still remember..After 23 years..thanks
ReplyDeleteThere only poem I still remember after 22 years..thanks
ReplyDeleteHey poet please anyone
ReplyDeleteThis poem never left me since around 20 years that I last studied it...today I look up for it and found it. Thanks a lot for this!!
ReplyDeleteOh thank you so much!! :) I remembered the first three stanzas of the poem, and had been looking for the rest :) Was it in 7th std or 4th...? It was in the Balbharati book..
ReplyDeleteNostalgic.. thank you for sharing this funny poem..
ReplyDeleteI think the word 'Fellow' is actually 'Lad'... I am saying from memory
ReplyDeleteWow, can't believe reading this after 30 years
ReplyDeleteThank you. I wanted my daughter to read this poem from my school days, but couldn't remember the full poem. Found it here. Thank you again. Im sunging it and my daughter is jumping and squealing with delight ��
ReplyDeleteI am very happy that you all readers are getting to revisit this lovely poem again after so many years! The very purpose of this blog is achieved! :)
ReplyDeleteNostalgic! Had been trying to find it for a long time. Thanks a ton for posting it.
ReplyDeleteI have been searching for this poem from my school times, wanted to read it out to my son.The wordings are so unique and fun to read.
ReplyDeleteHe wants me to read the poem over and again :)
Thanks a ton Peeves!!!!
Very glad to hear that! My daughter too loves this one.
Deleterecall the poem..we did it in Std VIi, at Atkinson -the Anglo Indian High School Board. Way back in 1973!
ReplyDeleteThat's cool! Some things remain unforgettable!
DeleteWow, thank you very much for sharing this poem.
ReplyDeleteOkay
ReplyDeleteThnx it was in my txt book too. Today i showed it to my son he is in 8th std now thnx a lot sir.
ReplyDeleteWow thats great,i was googling Oka Poka and landed to your blog...ohh wow... i remember few phrases and words but never the whole poem, its nostalgic to hear it back again. Thanks Peeves.
ReplyDeleteThis one is my favourite too, thank you for bringing it back , never fails to make me smile ๐๐๐๐ป๐๐
ReplyDeleteThanks for finding the poem for me i studied it in school some 55years, my teacher who taught me English from std.V to Viii was amazing she saw that we all memorized and recited in class God bless her and you Peeves/ google for searching it for me.
ReplyDelete