THE FAMOUS "CHEAP CHARLIE" SONG

Uc-dai-loi, Cheap Charlie,
He no buy me Siagon tea,
Siagon tea costs many many P,
Uc-da-loi he Cheap Charlie.

Uc-dai-loi,Cheap Charlie,
He no give me MPC,
MPC costs many many P,
Uc-dai-loi he Cheap Charlie.

Uc-dai-loi, Cheap Charlie
He no go to bed with me,
Bed with me costs many many P
Uc-dai-loi he Cheap Charlie.

Uc-dai-loi, Cheap Charlie,
Make me give him one for free,
Mamma-san go crook at me,
Uc-dai-loi, he Cheap Charlie.

Uc-dai-loi, Cheap Charlie,
He give baby-san to me,
Baby-san costs many many P,
Uc-dai-loi, he Cheap Charlie.

Uc-dai-loi, Cheap Charlie,
He go home across the sea,
He leave baby-san with me,
Uc-dai-loi he Cheap Charlie

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Explanation

This song became famous in South Vietnam. There is not one Australian who served there that did not know it, most only remember the first verse today. It is sung to the tune of Nick, Nack, Paddywack Give The Dog A Bone (from the Inn of the Sixth Happiness). We list hereunder the translation of some of the words you may not understand.

Uc-dai-loi = Australian
Cheap Charlie = Stingy
Saigon Tea = Whiskey & Coke (it could be tea)
P = Piastre (local Currency)
MPC = Military Payment Certificate
Mamma-san = Madam ( as in whore house)