Civilization
Danny Kaye The Andrew Sisters Lyrics
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He tells the native population that civilization is fine
And three educated savages holler from a bamboo tree
That civilization is a thing for me to see
So bongo, bongo, bongo, I don't want to leave the congo, oh no no no no no
Bingo, bangle, bungle, I'm so happy in the jungle, I refuse to go
Don't want no bright lights, false teeth, doorbells, landlords, I make it clear
I looked through a magazine the missionary's wife concealed
(Magazine, what happens)
I see how people who are civilized bung you with automobile
(You know you can get hurt that way Daniel)
At the movies they have got to pay many coconuts to see
(What do they see, darling)
Uncivilized pictures that the newsreel takes of me
So bongo, bongo, bongo, he don't want to leave the congo, oh no no no no no
Bingo, bangle, bungle, he's so happy in the jungle, he refuse to go
Don't want no penthouse, bathtub, streetcars, taxis, noise in my ear
(So, no matter how they coax him) I'll stay right here
They hurry like savages to get aboard an iron train
And though it's smokey and it's crowded, they're too civilized to complain
When they've got two weeks vacation, they hurry to vacation ground
(What do they do, darling)
They swim and they fish, but that's what I do all year round
So bongo, bongo, bongo, I don't want to leave the congo, oh no no no no no
Bingo, bangle, bungle, I'm so happy in the jungle, I refuse to go
Don't want no jailhouse, (shotgun) fish hooks (golf clubs) I got my spears
(So, no matter how they coax him) I'll stay right here
They have things like the atom bomb (so I think I'll stay where I am)
Civilization, I'll stay right here
The song "Civilization" by Danny Kaye is a satirical commentary on colonialism and the idea that Western civilization is always superior to other cultures. The lyrics open with a missionary trying to convince the "native population" that civilization is a good thing. But instead of being convinced, three "educated savages" sitting in a bamboo tree proclaim their love for the jungle and their refusal to leave. The chorus then repeats this sentiment, with the singer expressing their contentment with their current way of life and refusal to embrace the trappings of modernity.
The second verse explores the ways in which Western civilization can be dangerous and harmful, with the singer seeing photographs of people being hit by cars and watching "uncivilized pictures" of themselves on newsreels. Despite this, the chorus remains unchanged, emphasizing the singer's satisfaction with their current existence.
The final verse turns the tables, with the singer ridiculing Westerners for their behavior, such as their willingness to put up with crowded trains and their eagerness to vacation somewhere different. The chorus repeats once again, solidifying the idea that the singer has found contentment in their "uncivilized" life.
Overall, the song is a critique of Western imperialism and a celebration of cultures that have been marginalized or exploited by colonial powers. It highlights the absurdity of the idea that one culture is inherently superior to others and suggests that people should be free to choose their own way of life, without pressure to conform to Western standards.
Line by Line Meaning
Each morning, a missionary advertises neon sign
Every morning, a missionary puts up a bright, colorful advertisement to let the native people know about civilization.
He tells the native population that civilization is fine
The missionary talks to the indigenous people and tells them that civilization is great.
And three educated savages holler from a bamboo tree
Three natives who have learned about civilization yell from a nearby tree.
That civilization is a thing for me to see
They think civilization is something worth experiencing.
So bongo, bongo, bongo, I don't want to leave the congo, oh no no no no no
I love the jungle so much that I never want to leave.
Bingo, bangle, bungle, I'm so happy in the jungle, I refuse to go
I'm happy living here and I don't want to leave.
Don't want no bright lights, false teeth, doorbells, landlords, I make it clear
I don't want the trappings of civilization like bright lights or fake teeth, and I don't want to deal with things like landlords.
(That no matter how they coax him) I'll stay right here
I won't be swayed to leave the jungle by anyone.
I looked through a magazine the missionary's wife concealed
The wife of the missionary hid a magazine and I saw it.
(Magazine, what happens)
It contained stories about what could happen in a civilized society.
I see how people who are civilized bung you with automobile
I realized that people in a civilized society can hurt you with their cars.
(You know you can get hurt that way Daniel)
Someone warned me that cars can harm people.
At the movies they have got to pay many coconuts to see
Movies in a civilized society cost money to watch.
(What do they see, darling)
They watch films of me that were taken without me knowing.
Uncivilized pictures that the newsreel takes of me
The news media take pictures or footage of me without my permission.
They hurry like savages to get aboard an iron train
People in a civilized society rush to get on trains like savages.
And though it's smokey and it's crowded, they're too civilized to complain
Even though the train is very uncomfortable, people are too tame to complain.
When they've got two weeks vacation, they hurry to vacation ground
When they have time off, they go to designated vacation spots.
(What do they do, darling)
They go swimming and fishing, which is what I do all year round.
So bongo, bongo, bongo, I don't want to leave the congo, oh no no no no no
I love the jungle so much that I never want to leave.
Bingo, bangle, bungle, I'm so happy in the jungle, I refuse to go
I'm happy living here and I don't want to leave.
Don't want no penthouse, bathtub, streetcars, taxis, noise in my ear
I don't want any of the luxuries of a civilized society and I don't want to hear the noisy sounds.
(So, no matter how they coax him) I'll stay right here
I won't be bribed or persuaded to leave the jungle by anyone.
Don't want no jailhouse, (shotgun) fish hooks (golf clubs) I got my spears
I don't want any of the implements used in a civilized society, I'm happy with my spears.
(So, no matter how they coax him) I'll stay right here
I won't be swayed to leave the jungle by anyone.
They have things like the atom bomb (so I think I'll stay where I am)
A quote that means that the destructive capabilities of a civilized society make them want to stay where they are and not join that society.
Civilization, I'll stay right here
The person is firmly resolved to stay in the jungle and not join a civilized society.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOB HILLIARD, CARL SIGMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Idazmi7
“Civilization (Bongo, Bongo, Bongo)”
-sung by Danny Kaye and the Andrew Sisters
Each morning a missionary advertise with neon sign
He tells the native population that civilization is fine
And three educated savages holler from a bongo tree
That civilization is a thing for me to see
So bongo, bongo, bongo I don't want to leave the congo
Oh no no no no no
Bingle, bangle, bungle I'm so happy in the jungle I refuse to go
Don't want no bright lights, false teeth, doorbells, landlords
I make it clear
That no matter how they coax him
I'll stay right here
I looked through a magazine the missionary's wife concealed
Magazine? What happens?
I see how people who are civilized bang you with automobiles
You know you can get hurt that way Daniel
At the movies they have got to pay many coconuts to see
What do they see Danny?
Uncivilized pictures that the newsreel takes of me
So bongo, bongo, bong he don't want to leave the congo
Oh no no no no no
Bingle, bangle, bungle he's so happy in the jungle he refuse to go
Don't want no penthouse, bathtub, streetcars, taxis
Noise in my ear
So no matter how they coax him
I'll stay right here
They hurry like savages to get aboard an iron train
And though it's smoky and crowded they're too civilized to complain
When they've got two weeks vacation they hurry to vacation grounds
What do they do Danny
They swim and they fish but that's what I do all year round
So bongo, bongo, bongo I don't want to leave the congo
Oh no no no no no
Bingle, bangle, bungle I'm so happy in the jungle I refuse to go
Don't want no jailhouse, shotguns, fish hooks, golf clubs
I've got my spear
So no matter how they coax him
I'll stay right here
They have things like the atom bomb
So I think I'll stay where I "om"
Civilization, I'll stay right here
@loicdeniel8361
@klee .｡.:*♡ It was the 40s, different sensibilities, that's why they didn't see these sounds as offensive, on top of that it was very common at the time to use such vocalization instead of using actual words.
They're not mocking at all the natives, listen to the lyrics "They hurry like savages to get aboard an iron train, and though it's smokey and it's crowded they're too civilized to complain. When they've got two weeks vacation, they hurry to vacation ground (What do they do, Darling?) They swim and they fish but that's what i do all year 'round... " I mean obviously they're not mocking the natives, they're criticizing the stressful way of life in ubranized areas, and the docility of "civilized" people in their acceptance of these living conditions. Most importantly, they are reversing the roles, the "civilized" are the "savages" here.
"I looked through a magazine the missionary's wife concealed (Magazine? What happens?) I see "how people who are civilized bang you with automobiles" Once again, clear critic, the act of concealment by the wife, and again the contrast between "civilized" and what civilized people do, here in what can be described as involuntary manslaughter.
"They have things like the atom BOMB! So i think i'll stay where i AM! Civilization... I'll stay right here! " And the conclusion. Very obviously, that's a clear-cut critic of the so-called "civilization", with their most horridly barbaric invention (still vividly in the minds of people at the time, with the full realization of the radiation effects on the japanese population and their newborns) put on display to exemplify their savagery.
TL;DR: r/wooooosh
@ejhickey
Lyrics
Each morning, a missionary advertises neon sign
He tells the native population that civilization is fine
And three educated savages holler from a bamboo tree
That civilization is a thing for me to see
So bongo, bongo, bongo,
I don't wanna leave the Congo, oh no no no no no
Bingo, bangle, bungle, I'm so happy in the jungle, I refuse to go
Don't want no bright lights,
False teeth, doorbells, landlords, I make it clear
That no matter how they coax him, I'll stay right here
I looked through a magazine the
Missionary's wife concealed (Magazine? What happens?)
I see how people who are civilized bung you with
Automobile (You know you can get hurt that way Dani
At the movies they have got to pay many
Coconuts to see (What do they see, Darling?)
Uncivilized pictures that the newsreel takes of me
So bongo, bongo, bongo,
He don't wanna leave the Congo, oh no no no no no
Bingo, bangle, bungle, he's so happy in the jungle, he refuse to go
Don't want no penthouse, bathtub, streetcars, taxis, noise in my ear
So, no matter how they coax him, I'll stay right here
They hurry like savages to get aboard an iron train
And though it's smokey and it's
Crowded, they're too civilized to complain
When they've got two weeks vacation,
They hurry to vacation ground (What do they do, Darling?)
They swim and they fish, but that's what I do all year round
So bongo, bongo, bongo,
I don't wanna leave the Congo, oh no no no no no
Bingo, bangle, bungle, I'm so happy in the jungle, I refuse to go
Don't want no jailhouse, shotgun,
Fish-hooks, golf clubs, I got my spears
So, no matter how they coax him, I'll stay right here
They have things like the atom bomb, so I think I'll stay where I am
Civilization, I'll stay right here
@GraemePryce1978
***** Well, the UK is in a pretty bad way in terms of the government and the economy at the moment but British people are still very, very tolerant of most things and religion is a much lesser part of people's lives here than it is in the US as far as I can tell.
Abortion is a deep one, not sure I would go there! Womens rights . . . hmm. Not really an issue here so I've never looked at that one either.
I don't think you should give up on the US of A though. The politics, internal disputes, energy bills, mortgages etc - these things take over your life when you live in a place but I can tell you, from the outside a lot of people ( an all the Brits I know ) have great respect for the USA - and we both know where most nations will come running to when they need their arses rescuing from an army of fanatics or something.
I got a lot more patriotic when I learned a bit about the first and second world wars.
It's like both times Britain and France got together and said 'We're not having this, we're getting Uncle Sam.' lol
The UK and France deserve respect for the way they held on against impossible ( almost ) odds and then the USA deserves respect for standing up and saying 'You know what, it's obvious what side we should be on and obvious what we should do.'
They then proceeded to teach the whole world what a whole new level of industrial military might looked like. Britain was the first country to defeat the Germans but the US absolutely smashed them. You must be proud of that surely? lol
The good people who achieved stuff like that are still there - it's just a shame we seem to have let the bad ones make up our governments and institutions. It all seems to be about money nowadays eh?
Soz, I got carried away there. :-o
@TheBerzekerC
Each morning a paladin advertise with neon guns
He tells the native population that Brotherhood is fine
And three educated wanderers holler from a bongo settlement
That Brotherhood is a thing for me to see
So bongo, bongo, bongo I don't want to leave the wasteland
Oh no no no no no
Bingle, bangle, bungle I'm so happy in the wasteland I refuse to go
Don't want no bright guns, armors, implants, bunkers
I make it clear
That no matter how they threat him
I'll stay right here
I looked through a magazine the Elder's wife concealed
(Magazine? What happens?)
I see how people who are civilized shoot you with mini nikes
(You know you can get hurt that way Daniel)
At the library they have got to pay many bottlecaps to see
(What do they see Danny?)
Uncivilized pictures that the courier takes of me
So bongo, bongo, bungle he don't want to leave the wasteland
Oh no no no no no
Bingle, bangle, bungle he's so happy in the wasteland he refuse to go
Don't want no neat room, sinker, clean food, gun gal
rads in my ear
So no matter how they threat him
I'll stay right here
They hurry like sissys to get away from NCR
And though they are traped and entrenched they're too civilized to complain
When they've got two weeks missions they hurry to assingment grounds
(What do they do Danny)
They fight for their lives but that's what I do all year round
So bongo, bongo, bongo I don't want to leave the wasteland
Oh no no no no no
Bingle, bangle, bungle I'm so happy in the wasteland I refuse to go
Don't want no patrols, robots, lasers, choppers
I've got my Bat
So no matter how they threat him
I'll stay right here
They have things like the fattie man
So I think I'll stay where I "om"
Brotherhood, I'll stay right here
@clonecommander2600
Me sneaking past raiders:
My pip-boy: SO BONGO BONGO BONGO I DONT WANNA LEAVE THE CONGO NONONONONONO
@emilymeredith3845
Same! 🤣🤣🤣🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️
@ChickenMaster-sd4pv
Oml yes, who else have done that besides me?
@bullettime8760
Same, haha especially when you're so close behind them
@charlie-yp2oq
[Hidden]
Me: confused screaming
@amongusfan6462
Nah butcher pete
@arnaldomontoya4281
My grandmother used to say, "what hoppened?" and "bingo bango bongo," but I never knew the reference until I played Fallout 3. Thank you Bethesda Softworks!
@alexcorral622
Really?
@TS-ev1bl
Yeah, my dad was a young man in the '40s and he used to say "Wot hoppened?" long after that when I was a kid in the '60s (and a lot of other old slang that I thought was hilarious). It was a WW2 things among soldiers that apparently originated in British slang. UK troops advancing across Europe would write joking complaints like "Wot, no sugar?" or "Wot, no (fill in the blank)?" on ruined walls and etc. One Brit troop glider had "Wot, no engines?" written on it. A popular comic strip picked up on the craze in the early '40s and "Wot hoppened?" became a catch phrase for one of the characters. In reality it probably predates the '40s by decades.
@matshuhtamaa8314
Damn your grandma played fallout 3???