Yon yonson
Encyclopedia
Yon Yonson is an infinitely recursive poem, nursery rhyme
or song
, perhaps best known from the novel Slaughterhouse-Five
by Kurt Vonnegut
, although Vonnegut did not create it.
The earliest known appearance of the song has been credited to Jan Sophus Jansen
(1870–1953). Jan Jansen
(pronouced "Yon Yonson) was born in Amager
Denmark
. At age 23 (1893), he immigrated to the United States
. Jan settled in Berlin, Wisconsin
, where he first worked in a lumberyard and later worked as a carpenter, cabinet maker, and wood pattern maker.. Jan was known to sing his namesake song while playing the concertina
as he walked the streets of Berlin
.
Another possible origin of the song is the Swedish play "Yon Yonson" (1899). The play's setting was a Minnesota
lumber camp (Minnesota is a neighbor of Wisconsin
). However, no evidence shows that the song was actually performed as part of the play.
Another version goes:
Nursery rhyme
The term nursery rhyme is used for "traditional" poems for young children in Britain and many other countries, but usage only dates from the 19th century and in North America the older ‘Mother Goose Rhymes’ is still often used.-Lullabies:...
or song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
, perhaps best known from the novel Slaughterhouse-Five
Slaughterhouse-Five
Slaughterhouse-Five, or The Children's Crusade: A Duty-Dance with Death is a satirical novel by Kurt Vonnegut about World War II experiences and journeys through time of a soldier called Billy Pilgrim...
by Kurt Vonnegut
Kurt Vonnegut
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. was a 20th century American writer. His works such as Cat's Cradle , Slaughterhouse-Five and Breakfast of Champions blend satire, gallows humor and science fiction. He was known for his humanist beliefs and was honorary president of the American Humanist Association.-Early...
, although Vonnegut did not create it.
Origins of the song
The song is often sung in a Scandinavian accent (e.g. j pronounced as y, w pronounced as v). This accent is revealed by the name "Yon Yonson," which when recited in American English is usually rendered "Jan Jansen" or "John Johnson." The Swedish pronunciation "Yon Yonson" probably dates the origin of the song to soon after the Swedes' arrival in the United States.The earliest known appearance of the song has been credited to Jan Sophus Jansen
Jan Sophus Jansen
Jan Sophus Jansen is believed to be the author and subject of the well known infinitely recursive folk song titled “My name is Jan Jansen” .-Early life:...
(1870–1953). Jan Jansen
Jan Sophus Jansen
Jan Sophus Jansen is believed to be the author and subject of the well known infinitely recursive folk song titled “My name is Jan Jansen” .-Early life:...
(pronouced "Yon Yonson) was born in Amager
Amager
Amager is a Danish island in the Øresund. The Danish capital, Copenhagen, is partly situated on Amager, which is connected to the much larger island of Zealand by five bridges.-History:...
Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
. At age 23 (1893), he immigrated to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Jan settled in Berlin, Wisconsin
Berlin, Wisconsin
Berlin is a city in Green Lake and Waushara Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 5,305 at the 2000 census. The city is located mostly within the Town of Berlin in Green Lake County; only a small portion of the city extends into the Town of Aurora in Waushara...
, where he first worked in a lumberyard and later worked as a carpenter, cabinet maker, and wood pattern maker.. Jan was known to sing his namesake song while playing the concertina
Concertina
A concertina is a free-reed musical instrument, like the various accordions and the harmonica. It has a bellows and buttons typically on both ends of it. When pressed, the buttons travel in the same direction as the bellows, unlike accordion buttons which travel perpendicularly to it...
as he walked the streets of Berlin
Berlin, Wisconsin
Berlin is a city in Green Lake and Waushara Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 5,305 at the 2000 census. The city is located mostly within the Town of Berlin in Green Lake County; only a small portion of the city extends into the Town of Aurora in Waushara...
.
Another possible origin of the song is the Swedish play "Yon Yonson" (1899). The play's setting was a Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
lumber camp (Minnesota is a neighbor of Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
). However, no evidence shows that the song was actually performed as part of the play.
Lyrics
Numerous versions of the song exist, but all are similar to the following:- My name is Yon Yonson,
- I come from Wisconsin.
- I work in a lumber yard there.
- Everyone that I meet
- When I walk down the street,
- Says "Hello! What's your name?"
- And I say: My name is Yon Yonson... (repeated again and again).
Another version goes:
- My name is Yon Yonson,
- I come from Wisconsin
- I work in a lumber mill there
- All the people I meet
- As I walk down the street
- Ask me how in the heck I got there
- So I tell them: My name is Yon Yonson...
Other occurrences of the song
- The novel Slaughterhouse-FiveSlaughterhouse-FiveSlaughterhouse-Five, or The Children's Crusade: A Duty-Dance with Death is a satirical novel by Kurt Vonnegut about World War II experiences and journeys through time of a soldier called Billy Pilgrim...
by Kurt VonnegutKurt VonnegutKurt Vonnegut, Jr. was a 20th century American writer. His works such as Cat's Cradle , Slaughterhouse-Five and Breakfast of Champions blend satire, gallows humor and science fiction. He was known for his humanist beliefs and was honorary president of the American Humanist Association.-Early...
, Chapter 1, paragraph 8 - The Canadian band The Dave Howard SingersThe Dave Howard SingersThe Dave Howard Singers is a cult Canadian alternative rock band/project originally formed in Toronto, Canada. The project is based around the talents of singer-songwriter Dave Howard and the signature sound of his Ace Tone organ...
released an industrial/punk version of "Yon Yonson" in 1987. - The Children's Band Ralph's WorldRalph's WorldRalph's World is a children's music group created by Ralph Covert. Covert, previously of Chicago-based indie-rock group The Bad Examples, uses high rock and roll energy with kid-friendly lyrics....
released a version of this on their 2003 album Peggy's Pie Parlor. The lyrics have been changed slightly from what is quoted in this article. - The phrase was also used in a TV promotion ("Altered States") for Calvin KleinCalvin KleinCalvin Richard Klein is an American fashion designer who launched the company that would later become Calvin Klein Inc. in 1968. In addition to clothing, Klein has also given his name to a range of perfumes, watches, and jewelry....
perfume. - In the video game PsychonautsPsychonautsPsychonauts is a platform video game created by Tim Schafer, developed by Double Fine Productions and published by Majesco. The game was released on April 19, 2005, for the Xbox, April 26 for Microsoft Windows and June 21 for PlayStation 2. It was released on Steam on Oct 11, 2006, as an "Xbox...
, Sasha Nein will begin to recite this in an injury-induced daze if the battle with the mega-censor continues long enough. - The song has also appeared in numerous children’s song books
External links
- Calvin Klein - "Altered States" promotion for CK One and CK Be, based on the phrase.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwCHi3KbsMQ David Howard Singers "Yon Yonson"
- http://www.vanishedamericana.com/old-time-fun/yon-yonson-1899-stage-play-poster/ Vanished America "Yon Yonson" poster