Chi-Chi the Panda
Track Information
Original Track ID
SA1967.144.A11
Original Tape ID
Summary
A comic song, based on the real story of Chi-Chi the Panda. Chi-Chi's keepers at London Zoo try to find the cause of her unhappiness, and deduce she is pining for a mate. They first ask the Soviet Union to provide a panda for Chi-Chi, but they refuse on ideological grounds (saying a 'red' panda should not mate with a 'true blue'). Requests to China are also refused. Finally, Moscow relents and provides a 'valentine' for Chi-Chi.
Bob Bertram's own composition.
Item Notes
7 verses and choruses of 4 lines; no chorus after verses 3 & 5. Bob Bertram's own composition.
Chi-Chi (1957-1972) came to London Zoo in 1958, and was eventually paired with a giant panda called An-An from Moscow, but they never mated successfully.
Item Subject/Person
Chi-Chi the Panda
Language
English
Genre
Collection
Source Type
Reel to reel
Audio Quality
Fair