GUEST, those lines you quote, "if the words sound queer and funny to your ear..." are from "Mairzy Doats", not Breathless. Mairzy Doats = Mares eat oats; the whole song is purposely sung fast in a way to make beginning and ends of words blur together. Google it; you'll find lyrics and probably youtube videos. Totally different song. My mom sung it to me, too. You can find multiple versions to hear at
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Mairzy+Doats&search_type=&aq=f
I am having less luck finding audible versions of Breathless online thus far because of more modern songs by the same title...I can't remember the melody of the break....