Don't Jump in Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg!
A jazzy warning about a radioactive lake, blending nuclear pollution themes with environmental comedy and atomic humor.
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Lyrics
Oh, Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg That name's a wild ride, it'll tangle your tongue Down in Massachusetts, where the waters glow green It's a lake with a problem that's a little extreme It's zappin' and buzzin' with a radioactive spark Glowin' in the moonlight, lightin' up in the dark So grab your cool shades, let's swing to the beat And save this ol' lake from a nuclear feat Don't jump in Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg Don't swim in Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg Don't drink from Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg It's a jazzy ol' lake, but it's glowin' too bright, so don't take that plunge The fish are all sparklin', the frogs glow at night The water's got a shimmer that just ain't quite right Radioactive barrels, they're leakin' below This lake needs a cleanup, or it's gonna explode So snap your cool fingers, let's groove to the sound Call the hazmat team, let's turn it around Decontaminate, baby, let's give it some love For Lake Chargoggagogg, yeah, that’s what it's called Don't jump in Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg Don't swim in Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg Don't drink from Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg It's a jazzy ol' lake, but it's glowin' too bright, so don't take that plunge Skiddly-zap-zap, chauggagogg, oh my Manchauggagogg, don't let that lake fry Bippity-bop, chaubunagung, oh gee Clean up that glow, set the ecosystem free Now, picture the lake with its waters all clear No radioactive buzz, just the herons draw near The kids can go fishin', the turtles can glide Without glowin' green in the moonlight's soft tide So swing with your heart, let's clean up the spark For Lake Chargoggagogg, we'll light up the dark Together we'll save it, with a wink and a grin, This jazzy ol’ lake, let’s roll up and begin Don't jump in Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg Don't swim in Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg Don't drink from Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg It's a jazzy ol' lake, but it's glowin' too bright, so don't take that plunge
Background & Story
"Don't Jump in Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg!" takes its name from a real lake in Webster, Massachusetts, whose name is derived from the Nipmuc language and roughly translates to 'you fish on your side, I fish on my side, nobody fishes in the middle.' In the Atomic Songbirds' universe, this lake has become contaminated with radioactive waste, turning it into a glowing, bubbling environmental hazard.
The song transforms an environmental disaster into a jazz spectacle, with the impossibly long lake name becoming both a comedic device and a metaphor for problems too complex to easily name. The fish sparkle, the frogs glow, and the water shimmers with radioactive energy. It is beautiful and deadly, much like nuclear technology itself.
Beneath the humor lies genuine environmental commentary. The radioactive barrels leaking beneath the surface represent the hidden costs of nuclear power and weapons development that communities were forced to bear. The song's call to action ('Call the hazmat team, let's turn it around') is both absurdly optimistic and sincerely hopeful, suggesting that even the most contaminated situations can be cleaned up if people choose to act.
Themes & Analysis
"Don't Jump in Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg!" uses environmental destruction as a lens to examine the consequences of unchecked technological progress. The radioactive lake is what happens when powerful technology is deployed without considering its long-term impact on the communities and ecosystems that must live with the fallout.
The song's comedic tone does not diminish its message; it amplifies it. By making nuclear pollution into a toe-tapping jazz number, The Atomic Songbirds mirror how society often turns serious problems into entertainment rather than confronting them directly. The song invites listeners to enjoy the rhythm while asking them to think about what they're dancing to.
Fun Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg a real place?+
Yes! Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg is a real lake in Webster, Massachusetts. Its name comes from the Nipmuc language and is one of the longest place names in the United States. In the song, it becomes a radioactive environmental hazard as a commentary on nuclear waste and technological carelessness.
What is the environmental message in this song?+
The song warns about the hidden costs of nuclear technology. The radioactive barrels leaking beneath the lake represent how powerful technologies leave contamination that communities must deal with long after the initial benefits have been enjoyed. It parallels modern concerns about e-waste, AI environmental costs, and technological pollution.