It's the story of a very unfortunate colored man Who got arrested down in Old Hong Kong He got twenty years' privilege taken away from him When he kicked old Buddha's gong.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A man loses years of freedom for disrespecting a cultural symbol.
- In plain terms
- A man got arrested and lost his freedom for kicking a gong.
- What can you take from it?
- Disrespecting local customs can lead to severe consequences.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is the penalty fair for the offense?
- How should travelers behave abroad?
Another view
The punishment may seem disproportionate to the act.
More from Hoagy Carmichael
You sittin' here chained to your rockin' chair.
Permalink to quote #1 I'm a Cranky Old Yank in a Clanky Old Tank on the Streets of Yokohama with my Honolulu Mama Doin' Those Beat-o, Beat-o Flat-On-My-Seat-o, Hirohito Blues
Permalink to quote #3
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