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Can Anyone Help with a Canadian Song “”Yoki and the Kaiser”" – Possibly with Korean Origins

Friday, May 4th, 2007

Patricia wrote:

Wondering if you have heard the words to a 50’s skipping game we played using elastics?

I believe it was originally a Korean children’s game and the children of missionaries brought it back to Canada in 1939. Original words:

Rioyun, Kaiyo, Yaku navide etc.

This song was taught to commemorate the victory of Russian-Japanese war of 1905 and written by a Japanese poet (After this war, Japan occupied Korea).

The words we sang as children here in Ontario were:

Yoki and the Kaiser, Yoki addy ay, Tamba, so-ba, Sa-du, say-day. Yoki in the Kaiser, Yoki allee-ay, Kick him in the so-po, Sa-du, sa-day!

We had no idea what we were singing!

Patricia
Ontario Canada

It just so happens that Bill Conrad had asked me about this song last year. Here’s what he wrote:

In Montreal, in the 50’s, girls used to celebrate Spring with skipping ropes and elastics. While playing the elastic game they sung a “ditty” that went somewhat like this,”Yolem a Kaiser,Yokem addiay….” Do you know what I am referring to? Bill Conrod

I’m not familiar with this song. If anyone else can help out with the lyrics, meaning or origins of this song (or of the original song it comes from) please comment below.

Thanks!

Lisa

PS I have one question for Patricia and Bill: Does skipping ropes with elastics mean playing Chinese jump rope?

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