Ging Gang Goolie

Ging Gang Goolie is a gibberish scouting song (still popular among the Boy Scouts & Girl Guides), which may have been inspired by African songs.

In the deepest darkest Africa, every year, after the rains, the "Great Grey Ghost Elephant" arose from the mists and wandered throughout the land. When it came to a village, it would either go around the village or through it. Villagers believed that if it went around the village, the village would have a prosperous year, and if it went through it, there would be a drought. The elephant had gone through the village of 'Wat-Cha' 3 years in a row, and the situation was really bad in the village. A plan to deter the elephant from going through the village was made by Ging-Ganga, the village leader & Hay-la-shay, the medicine man. Ging-Ganga & his warriors were going to frighten the elephant by standing in its path & shaking their shields and spears. Hay-la-shay & his followers were going to cast magic spells, and frighten the elephant by the sound of shaking medicine bags. When the elephant arrived, the villagers gathered at the border of the village and started shouting the name of their leaders, "Ging-Ganga" and "Ha-lay-shay". 'Shally wally' was the sound made by shaking medicine bags. The villagers were successful in their plan, and the elephant went around the village, making the "Oompah, oompah" sound. The villagers rejoiced and sang the "Ging Gang..." song.

Ging gang goolie goolie goolie goolie watcha,

Ging gang goo, ging gang goo.

Ging gang goolie goolie goolie goolie watcha,

Ging gang goo, ging gang goo.

Hayla, oh hayla shayla, hayla shayla, shayla, oh-ho,

Hayla, oh hayla shayla, hayla shayla, shayla, oh.

Shally wally, shally wally, shally wally, shally wally,

Oompah, oompah, oompah, oompah.

Shoes: Marni, Dress: Nina Ricci, Jacket: Stella McCartney Ging Gang Goolie,

Cuff: Tom Binns, Pendant: Christmas ornament I bought at Orson & Blake.

It was so cold & windy!

Stella McCartney 'scrawled' (or rather, printed) the Ging Gang Goolie lyrics across this silk 'Ging Gang Goolie' jacket, which I fell in love with a few years ago.

(www.style.com)

Thought I'd add a close-up of the neckline of the Nina Ricci dress, as it's hard to see in my photo, I love the gauzey pleated silk over the white jersey dress!