Over the years, a favorite activity of student groups I’ve been involved with has been “Sermon in a Box.

A student would volunteer, stand up front, and ask for one or two words to build an impromptu two-minute sermon around.

They then had 60 seconds to plan their “sermon” before delivering it.

The results were often hilarious and occasionally profound.

Today I asked my youngest daughter, Grace, for two words for me to fit into my blog.

She chose the words “chicken” and “dance.”

Okay.

At least I have more than 60 seconds.

And I have the internet.

And, oh what a treasure trove I have found! (Thank you Wikipedia – no guarantees of accuracy).

Did you know that the chicken dance was based on a song composed by the Swiss accordionist Werner Thomas in 1957.

It was originally the “Duck Dance.”

In 1981, when the song was performed at Oktoberfest in Tulsa, OK, a man dressed in a chicken outfit danced to it.

Because of that little incident, we now have – the “Chicken Dance.”

Thanks a lot, Tulsa.

But then, what harm has the chicken dance ever done?

The moment that insidious accordion rhythm starts playing, the young and the young at heart all get up and start flapping their wings.

By the end of the song, anyone who is not a stick in the mud or way too cool for their own good is up having a hilariously good time without regard for personal pride.

All that without the embarrassingly suggestive lyrics of a certain other party song.

I never said this was going to be a profound blog.

But maybe it will inspire some profound clean fun.

Since I’ve already planted the “Chicken Dance” tune in your brain, the only way to get it out is to play the song.

So, go ahead. Crank it up and grab anyone who isn’t too hung up on themselves and have a mini party.

If it turns out bad, blame it on my daughter.

And don’t forget to blame that chicken guy in Tulsa too.