Civilization
Danny Kaye With The Andrews 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 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
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 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 "ahm"
Civilization, I'll stay right here!
The song "Civilization" by Danny Kaye with The Andrews Sisters critiques the Western notion of "civilization" and the idea that so-called "uncivilized" societies need to be saved and civilized by the West. The lyrics mock the patronizing attitude of Western missionaries who try to convince native people that life is better in the Western world, with its bright lights, automobiles, and other technological advancements. The chorus of the song is a sarcastic repetition of the phrase "bongo, bongo, bongo," voiced by the "uncivilized" people who are being targeted by the missionaries.
The first verse of the song introduces the theme, as a missionary tries to sell the idea of civilization to the native population. In the second verse, the lyrics become more personal, as Kaye's character rejects the idea of leaving the Congo and returning to the West. He lists all the things he doesn't want, from false teeth to streetcars, and proclaims that he is happier in the jungle than he ever would be in a civilized society. In the final verse, the lyrics criticize the obsession with work and vacation in the Western world, contrasting it with the simple pleasures of jungle life.
Despite its humorous tone, the song raises serious questions about colonialism and cultural imperialism. By portraying the "civilized" West as pushy, materialistic, and unfulfilled, the song challenges the idea that Western culture is superior to other cultures. Instead of blindly accepting the idea that "civilization" is always better than "savagery," the song encourages listeners to think critically about what it means to be civilized and what the costs of such "civilization" might be.
Line by Line Meaning
Each morning, a missionary advertises neon sign
Every morning, a man representing religion and Western culture showcases a neon sign to attract the native population.
He tells the native population that civilization is fine
He conveys to the indigenous people that the lifestyle of the Western world is good and desirable.
And three educated savages holler from a bamboo tree
Three sophisticated locals shout from a tree made of bamboo.
That civilization is a thing for me to see
They express their desire to witness and experience the Western lifestyle.
So bongo, bongo, bongo, I don't wanna leave the Congo, oh no no no no no
Hence, I want to remain in Congo and not leave this place.
Bingo, bangle, bungle, I'm so happy in the jungle, I refuse to go
I prefer staying in the natural surroundings of the jungle and am content with my way of living.
Don't want no bright lights, false teeth, doorbells, landlords, I make it clear
I do not want the materialistic and artificial Western world, including electric lights, dental implants, doorbells, or landlords, and I am very explicit about it.
That no matter how they coax him, I'll stay right here
No amount of persuasion or lure would compel me to leave the place of my origin.
I looked through a magazine the missionary's wife concealed (Magazine? What happens?)
I happened to browse through a periodical that the missionary's spouse had kept hidden (What did you see, Dear?).
I see how people who are civilized bung you with automobile (You know you can get hurt that way Daniel?)
I observed the uncivilized behavior of people who attack others with vehicles (Do you understand the imminent danger, Daniel?).
At the movies, they have got to pay many coconuts to see (What do they see, Darling?)
At the cinema, people have to pay a significant amount of resources to watch films (What type of movies do they watch, Honey?).
Uncivilized pictures that the newsreel takes of me
These films usually display unsophisticated and derogatory images of my community.
So bongo, bongo, bongo, he don't wanna leave the Congo, oh no no no no no
Therefore, I have no intention to depart from Congo, under any circumstances.
Bingo, bangle, bungle, he's so happy in the jungle, he refuse to go
I am content in the tropics, and I am not willing to abandon it.
Don't want no penthouse, bathtub, streetcars, taxis, noise in my ear
The luxurious and noisy lifestyle of the urban world, which includes high-end abodes, cars, and transportation, does not appeal to me.
So, no matter how they coax him, I'll stay right here
I am firm in my decision to remain in the natural and modest environment of my home.
They hurry like savages to get aboard an iron train
People resembling uncivilized beings scramble to board a metallic train.
And though it's smokey and it's crowded, they're too civilized to complain
Despite the polluted air and congestion, they do not express their dissatisfaction as they consider themselves as 'cultured'.
When they've got two weeks vacation, they hurry to vacation ground (What do they do, Darling?)
As soon as they have limited free time, they hasten to their vacation spot (What activities they indulge, Love?).
They swim and they fish, but that's what I do all year round
They enjoy swimming, and fishing during their leisure time, while these are my routine activities the entire year.
So bongo, bongo, bongo, I don't wanna leave the Congo, oh no no no no no
Consequently, I would instead reside in Congo, and not leave it.
Bingo, bangle, bungle, I'm so happy in the jungle, I refuse to go
I adore living in the dense and overgrown forest, and I refuse to abandon it.
Don't want no jailhouse, shotgun, fish-hooks, golf clubs, I got my spears
The instruments of punishment, firearms, angling gears, and sports commodities don't interest me, as I am content with my hunting tools.
So, no matter how they coax him, I'll stay right here
As previously stated, I am resolved to stay in my abode, and they cannot persuade me.
They have things like the atom bomb, so I think I'll stay where I "ahm"
They have created lethal and heinous weapons like atomic bombs, and hence I prefer to stay where I am safe and away from such technology.
Civilization, I'll stay right here!
I prefer the ethnic and humble lifestyle of my village and would continue to reside here.
Contributed by Alexandra A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Idazmi7
βCivilization (Bongo, Bongo, Bongo)β
-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 .ｑ.:*①It 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
*****Β 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 Β - 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.Β
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.'Β
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! π€£π€£π€£π€¦π»ββοΈπ€¦π»ββοΈ
@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???