Chicken Dance

Whistle
1

You know it, most of you have danced it once in your life… Most likely at a wedding reception… The Chicken Dance.

I did a search on JCs Tunefinder and found it there. I did not know that it was a Mexican tune. I always thought it a German Polka.

I thought it would be fun to incorporate the tune in a traditional set.

Perhaps start with a hornpipe. I was thinking a tune like Off to California. Then break into the Chicken Dance. Then after that I am at a loss. Any suggestions?

Can you mix hornpipes with polkas and jigs?

The title would be interesting.
Off to California to the Chicken Dance…

Laura

2

Haven’t heard of it. Is there a clip or MIDI online?

3

On 2002-10-01 06:59, Walden wrote:
Haven’t heard of it. Is there a clip or MIDI online?

Walk me through on how to insert a midi clip of it and I will post it.

Laura

4

I did a search engine… this is much more fun… you can watch dancing chickens

http://www.funpages.com/chickendance.htm

5

On 2002-10-01 07:10, hillfolk22 wrote:
http://www.funpages.com/chickendance.htm

Sort of a Bluegrass polka mariachi performance.

6

http://polkacide.com/pals.html

Third picture down, the picture from the Great American Music Hall. You have not done the Chicken Dance until you’ve done it with Polkacide.

7

I can tell you for sure, this was a polka composed by a Belgian composer in the seventies. It has been and is still a great hit at every danceparty where senior people are involved.

8

forgot to tell, was originally played by a group of accordianplayers

9

Uh oh, I think the Mexicans and th Belgians are fixing to rumble!

10

On 2002-10-01 11:31, sweetone wrote:
forgot to tell, was originally played by a group of accordianplayers

Accordion: the instrument played by the greatest number of players who don’t want to admit it. Not dissing anyone’s axe or choice of music, just commenting on observations of both media and real life.

11

On 2002-10-01 11:34, Walden wrote:
Uh oh, I think the Mexicans and th Belgians are fixing to rumble!

I wouldn’t even think of it Walden. I don’t want to get stabed by a taco.

12

Sweettone You could retaliate with a Belgian Waffle upside someones head.

13

Mmmm. Tacos and Belgian waffles…

14

Salsa on the waffles
Maple syrup on the tacos

Interesting.

15

“Chicken waffles?”

  • Joel Hodgson
16

BTW, the original title of the song is
vogeltjesdans (translated would be little birds’ dance)
and all birds around here like waffles and chocolats

17

On 2002-10-01 14:41, sweetone wrote:
BTW, the original title of the song is
vogeltjesdans (translated would be little birds’ dance)
and all birds around here like waffles and chocolats

This is getting more and more educational as it goes. Has the melody been changed any from the more common chicken dance tune?

Hmmmm… I wonder why JCs tune finder states the tune’s origins from Mexico?

Still not seeing any suggestions as to what other tunes would go along with it.

It would be one of those sneek in a tunes that throws the audience off from the Itrad stuff.

I like doing those sorts of things.

OHBTW Sweetone, how do you pronounce vogeltjesdans?

Laura

18

Me again…
I read over the thread again and noticed that Sweetone mentioned Belgian Composer in the '70s. Does that mean the tune is under copywrite then???

I sure hope it’s public domain.

Laura

19

When my wife and i started making wedding plans I expressly said “NO CHICKEN DANCE”. So the first thing she did was to rent chicken feet and a beak that she wore with her dress during the full blown Italian version of the tune. Had words and everything - lots of accordians and guitar. BTW, I’m not Italian, neither is she and I didn’t understand a single word.

Of course I couldn’t stop laughing – it was enormously funny, but the interesting thing was the looooooong version of the Italian Chicken Dance - Parmesan anyone?

[ This Message was edited by: Paul Reid on 2002-10-01 16:36 ]

20

Well Laura, it isn’t public domain I’m affraid, for more questions try http://www.sabam.be
As for the pronounciation,you’ll have to give me a call, or I’ll send a soundfile to your mailbox. There are so many sounds in it I can’t describe in English.
I’d never play this song in public myself in Belgium, it’s not a very good reference for a musician here i’m affraid.
Cheers