Song Lyric Sunday – Mockingbird

Posted byChristine BoltonPosted inBlog, Song Lyric SundayTags:, , , , , , , , , ,

Our friend Di from Pensitivity101 had a brilliant idea of finding songs based on nursery rhymes or fairy tales, for this week’s Song Lyric Sunday. I admit I was stumped on this one but after a lot of thought I remembered Mockingbird. I used to sing it (and I use that term loosely!) to my son as a baby when I could not get him to sleep. I remember Charlie & Inez Foxx’s version from the 60s and so that will be my lead in. I have also included a video of James Taylor and Carly Simon’s live concert version which was fun to watch too. Have a great Sunday!

The Song

“Mockingbird” is based on a traditional American folk song sometimes known as “Hush Little Baby.” The song is a lullaby, intended to soothe a young child to sleep with promises of expensive gifts. Northern Mockingbirds were often kept as pets in America, which explains the significance of the lyrics.

The original version of the song “Mockingbird” was sung by the brother and sister duo Inez & Charlie Foxx. They released their version in 1963. It was a hit for them, reaching the top 10 on several charts.

Bo Diddley used the traditional lyrics for his 1955 song “Bo Diddley,” but his song had a completely different arrangement.

In 1974, James Taylor and Carly Simon, who were married at the time, recorded their version, which was also a hit. Country singer Toby Keith recorded it with his teenage daughter Krystal in 2004, and that same year, Eminem made it into a song for his daughter Hailie. Eminem’s song veers from the traditional lyrics as he details his struggles to raise his daughter and threatens to break the bird’s neck if it doesn’t sing.

This song is part of a key scene in the 1994 movie Dumb and Dumber, where Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels sing it for musical entertainment.

The Lyrics

Mock (yeah)
Ing (yeah)
Bird (yeah)
Yeah (yeah)
Mockingbird

Everybody have you heard?
He's gonna buy me a mockingbird
Oh if that mockingbird don't sing
He's gonna buy me a diamond ring
And if that diamond ring won't shine
He's gonna surely break this heart of mine
And that's why I keep on tellin' everybody
Yeah, yeah whoa, whoa, yeah, yeah, yeah

Everybody have you heard? (I I, I know what I came)
He's gonna buy me a mockingbird (let you know)
If that mockingbird don't sing (and I I I, I love you)
He's gonna buy me a diamond ring (and ?) (but I)
And if that diamond ring won't shine (love you more)
She will break this heart of mine (if I make a mistake, love me)
And that's why I keep on tellin' everybody (just to feel, oh, just to feel)
Yeah, yeah whoa, whoa, yeah, yeah, yeah

Everybody have you heard? (I I, I know that you know)
He's gonna buy me a mockingbird (that I care)
If that mockingbird don't sing (and I I I, I know that he knows)
He's gonna buy me a diamond ring (he knows why)
And if that diamond ring won't shine
She will break this heart of mine
And that's why I keep on tellin' everybody (just to feel, oh, just to feel)
Yeah, yeah whoa, whoa, yeah, yeah, yeah

Everybody have you heard?
He's gonna buy me a mockingbird
Oh if that mockingbird don't sing
He's gonna buy me a diamond ring
And if that diamond ring won't shine
She will break this heart of mine
And that's why I keep on tellin' everybody (just to feel, oh, just to feel)
Yeah, yeah whoa, whoa, yeah, yeah, yeah

Everybody have you heard?
He's gonna buy me a mockingbird
Oh if that mockingbird don't sing

Writer/s: Charlie Foxx, Inez Foxx
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Published by Christine Bolton

I have been writing poetry since I was a child and it has helped in the good times and bad times. I am always looking within to find the answers to life's problems and to write thought-provoking poetry and prose. Thanks for checking it out. Christine

25 thoughts on “Song Lyric Sunday – Mockingbird”

  1. I love this song Christine and to see James and Carly singing it is a joy, as I am a fan of both, and I had not seen this before – but if I had to choose a favourite it would be the original version. Thanks for sharing 😃

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Brillant choice for today, Christine and I do like the lively cover by James Taylor and Carly Simon a lot. I have heard it on the radio, but this was my first time seeing the video and it was very enjoyable.

    Liked by 2 people

  6. Christine, first time hearing the Inez & Charlie Foxx one. Done just right.

    I was laughing but also chilled when I read this:

    Eminem’s song veers from the traditional lyrics as he details his struggles to raise his daughter and threatens to break the bird’s neck if it doesn’t sing.

    WTH??? Candy needs to chill out!

    When you mentioned the melody is from Hush Little Baby, you reminded me of an excellent one in this theme, from the movie, “O Brother, Where Art Thou”:

    Liked by 1 person

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