The Monkeys Have No Tails in Zamboanga " The Monkeys Have No Tails in Zamboanga " ( Roud 12598 ) is a song , probably written during the Spanish American War or the Moro Rebellion . It was popular with US soldiers in the Pacific in World War II . History . " The Monkeys Have No Tails in Zamboanga " is the official regimental march of the 27th US Infantry Regiment , as the " Wolfhound March " . The lyrics of this official version were written in 1907 in Cuba by G . Savoca , the regimental band leader ( died 1912 ) , after the regiment was formed in 1901 to serve in the Philippines . According to Harry McClintock , the tune was borrowed from an official march of the Philippine Constabulary Band , as played at the St . Louis Exposition in 1904 . One version was collected as part of the Gordon " Inferno " Collection . As with many folk songs with military origins ( such as " Mademoiselle from Armentières " from World War I , the song becomes a souvenir of the campaign for those who served . Lyrics . The Monkeys Have No Tails in Zamboanga Oh , the monkeys have no tails in Zamboanga , Oh , the monkeys have no tails in Zamboanga , Oh , the monkeys have no tails , They were bitten off by whales , Oh , the monkeys have no tails in Zamboanga . Chorus : Oh , we won ' t go back to Subic anymore , Oh , we won ' t go back to Subic anymore , Oh , we won ' t go back to Subic Where they mix our wine with " tubig " * , Oh , we won ' t go back to Subic anymore . Chorus Oh , the carabao have no hair in Mindanao , Oh , the carabao have no hair in Mindanao , Oh , the carabao have no hair , Holy smoke ! But they are bare , Oh , the carabao have no hair in Mindanao . Chorus Oh , the fishes wear no skirts in Iloilo , Oh , the fishes wear no skirts in Iloilo , Oh , the fishes wear no skirts , But they all have undershirts , Oh , the fishes wear no skirts in Iloilo . Chorus They grow potatoes small in Iloilo , They grow potatoes small in Iloilo , They grow potatoes small , And they eat them skins and all , They grow potatoes small in Iloilo . Chorus Oh , the birdies have no feet in Mariveles , Oh , the birdies have no feet in Mariveles , Oh , the birdies have no feet , They were burned off by the heat , Oh , the birdies have no feet in Mariveles . Chorus Oh , we ' ll all go up to China in the spring time , Oh , we ' ll all go up to China in the spring time , Oh , we ' ll hop aboard a liner , I can think of nothing finer , Oh , we ' ll all go up to China in the spring time . Chorus Oh , we ' ll all go down to Shanghai in the fall , Oh , we ' ll all go down to Shanghai in the fall , Oh , we ' ll all get down to Shanghai , Those champagne corks will bang high , Oh , we ' ll all go down to Shanghai in the fall . Chorus Oh , we lived ten thousand years in old Chefoo . Oh , we lived ten thousand years in old Chefoo . And it didn ' t smell like roses , So we had to hold our noses , Oh , we lived ten thousand years in old Chefoo . Some verses were updated and sung by U . S . Army and Navy personnel and families in Manila , Philippines , and back in the States after WWII . The song mentions islands in the Philippine chain , attributing amusing or unflattering characteristics to their flora and fauna , and humans . As there are many islands , there are no doubt many more verses . Oh , the ladies wear no teddies in Manila , Oh , the ladies wear no teddies in Manila , Oh , the ladies wear no teddies , They ' re a bunch of ever - readies , Oh , the ladies wear no teddies in Manila . Oh , the men they wear no pants on Luzon , Oh , the men they wear no pants on Luzon , Oh , the men they wear no pants , They ' re afraid to miss a chance , Oh , the men they wear no pants on Luzon .