Song Analysis

According to Moon, “John Chinaman” is a fictitious individual who embodies all the stereotypes of Chinese immigrants in America during the 1850s and 60s. Moon “plays on differences such as religious practices, eating habits and English proficiency,” to highlight the differences between the two cultures -- Americans being the preferred culture. "John Chinaman" is not an accurate depiction of a Chinese immigrant. Certain traits are blown out of proportion and others are minimized -- resulting in an inaccurate depiction.

In the beginning of the song, a narrator gives a brief history of Chinese immigrant men in Central Pacific America. The narrator states that the Chinese immigrant workers of the railroads in the West were met with some apprehension. Strobridge, the construction boss for Crocker, a famous railroad tycoon, thinks that the Chinese men are too small and too weak for such intense labor. But Crocker argues, “They built the great wall of China, didn’t they?” The narrator suggests that Chinese men are less inclined to strike or get drunk, implying that they are perfect employees in comparison to the Irish immigrants.

Recruited in California and then in China, Chinese immigrant's pay rose as their tenure increased. Unfortunately, they had to pay for housing and food while other white workers did not have to pay for the same amenities. Working three shifts a day, the Chinese men dominated the Central Pacific work force of 10,000 men. Ironically, no records of the songs sung by the Chinese railroad workers have endured. The only songs to survive are the ones written and sung by white men.

In the song “John Chinaman, My Jo,” John Chinaman is portrayed as a man who is helpless. The woman who sings the song tells of the many Chinese immigrants who are “invading us.” She suggests that she will be blessed when they stop. Her lyrics strike a derogatory tone as she sings to John Chinaman stating that he will be thanked and praised for his work but “Don’t abuse the freedom you enjoy.” There are only two verses to this song but her intention is quite clear. She is pleased that they have helped to construct the US infrastructure but that the Chinese immigrants should remember their place and be cautious not to overstep their socially constructed “rights.” Thus, John Chinaman is portrayed as part of a silent minority with little say in what he can and cannot do.

The song “John Chinaman, My Jo” appears in Conner’s Irish Song Book in 1868. The significance of its inclusion in this historical context suggests that Irish immigrants were unhappy with the fact that Chinese immigrants were taking all of “their” jobs. As stated at the beginning of the song, these Chinese immigrants would work for less pay, would be less likely to strike and would not complain. Irish immigrants on the other hand, would get drunk and be more confrontational. By comparing the Chinese immigrants as a workforce to their Irish colleagues infers Chinese superiority. Having Conner, an Irish author, include a song about Chinese immigrants in his songbook reinforces this concept.


The song “The Geisha. Chin Chin Chinaman” preformed by James Tyrone Powers can be categorized as a yellowface performance. Yellowface is usually classified as the practice of East Asian characters portrayed by predominantly white actors in theater, music and television. They display oriental characteristics and stereotypes.

For Moon, this song can be classified as yellowface because he is a white American Broadway performer, using Chinese impersonations to represent Chinese culture. Power uses Pidgin English and gibberish to suggest the Chinese immigrants inability’s to speak proper English. Powers makes up words that sound like the dialect based on the suggestion that Chinese do not pronounce “L” or “R” properly. (Moon 42-43) The song's lyrics are degrading as it is based on stereotypes and essentially makes fun of the way Chinese immigrants speak and sing. Yellowface was a defensive technique, which implied that white Americans would never let the Chinese fit into American life. Americans wanted to demonstrate how inferior they found their Chinese colleagues and to counter the suggestion that Chinese immigrants were not “appealingly exotic.” (Moon 47)