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Lyr Add: Children Have Quizzical Ways
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Subject: Bickety Backety Book. Know this song? From: Al Dente Date: 28 May 03 - 07:17 PM Anybody recognize this lyric? It's a children's song, learned by my informant in the USA in the late 1930s.
Bickety-backety-book How faerie-folk dwell in a dell by the brook Brickety-brackety-brook O-lea O-lay O-loo-loo My Darlin' Children have quizzical ways O-lea O-lay O-loo-loo My Darlin' And some keep them all of their days He came to a man who was mending a hook Hickety-hackety-hook Poo Poo said the man as his finger he shook Shickety-shackety-shook O-lea O-lay O-loo-loo My Darlin' People forget they were small O-lea O-lay O-loo-loo My Darlin' They think they are wise because they¹re tall |
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Subject: RE: Bickety Backety Book. Know this song? From: DADGBE Date: 28 May 03 - 10:16 PM Yikes! Seems like there ain't nobody knows this song. Maybe we could ask the Incredible Banjos. They do all kinds of songs... |
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Subject: RE: Bickety Backety Book. Know this song? From: open mike Date: 29 May 03 - 01:32 AM I thought it might be Nickety Knackity Hey EE dum daffity... willaby wallaby rusitcal quality , Nickety Knackity now now now... (click) ...but it is not... |
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Subject: RE: Bickety Backety Book. Know this song? From: Joe Offer Date: 29 May 03 - 01:23 PM I dunno, Al - I checked a lot of resources, and came up with nothing. -Joe Offer, posting this message to refresh the question- |
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Subject: RE: Bickety Backety Book. Know this song? From: GUEST,jacquie Date: 03 Sep 03 - 04:23 PM Yes - my grandmother sang it to me and I've sung a few lines to my grandchildren. Thanks for the complete words. |
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Subject: RE: Bickety Backety Book. Know this song? From: GUEST,bellasante@speakeasy.net Date: 05 Nov 05 - 02:14 AM My mother sang this to me when I was quite young. She said she had heard it on the radio. I only know what she remembered and taught me. But I know some other verses in addition to those above. ^^ "A little boy read in a wonderful book Bickety-backety-book How faerie-folk dwell in a dell by the brook Brickety-brackety-brook I'll find them said he and we'll have a good talk Tickety tackety talk. So off he did go as fast as he could walk Wickety wackety walk." O-lea O-lay O-loo-loo My Darlin' Children have quizzical ways O-lea O-lay O-loo-loo My Darlin' And some keep them all of their days "He met an old man who was fixing a clock Clickety clackety clock. He got it to tick but it just wouldn't tock Tickety tackety tock. And the old man he frowned as his finger he shook shickety shackety shook." O-lea O-lay O-loo-loo My Darlin' People forget they were small O-lea O-lay O-loo-loo My Darlin' They think they are wise because they're tall He came to a little door under a rock Rickety rackety rock It opened right up when he started to knock Knickety knackety knock And there were the little folk under the oak Ickety ackety oak A dancin' about like paper and smoke Smickety smackety smoke O-lea O-lay O-loo-loo My Darlin' Children have magical ways O-lea O-lay O-loo-loo My Darlin' And some keep them all of their days (There is another line to the second verse, but I don't remember the words anymore, and my mother has passed away.) I hope this helps. I would to hear any other information that anyone has like all the lyrics, and maybe even the music. Thanks, Bellasante |
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Subject: RE: Bickety Backety Book. Know this song? From: Flash Company Date: 05 Nov 05 - 09:57 AM Val Doonican sang this on UK TV. As I have said before, 'God I am getting old!' FC |
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Subject: RE: Bickety Backety Book. Know this song? From: bovinus Date: 22 Jan 06 - 02:52 PM What did we find out about the origins of this song? My Mom sang this to us when we were kids - early 1960's, many fond memories. Tim O'Connor |
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Subject: RE: Bickety Backety Book. Know this song? From: GUEST,John Milnes Baker Date: 08 Dec 08 - 01:05 PM I have just been going through my files of some fifty plus years of collecting songs and am putting together a couple of CDs for my children and grabndchildren. Bickity Backity Book was a song I learned in Brookhaven Long Island where I grew up. My children always loved it. Monty - biologist at the Brookhave National Laboratory - said it was on the reverse side of an old 78 record of a harlem singer. Not much to go on. (jmbaker@bestweb.net) |
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Subject: RE: Bickety Backety Book. Know this song? From: Jim McLean Date: 08 Dec 08 - 04:24 PM http://folksongcollector.com/childrenhave.html |
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Subject: RE: Bickety Backety Book. Know this song? From: GUEST,pedant Date: 26 Dec 08 - 06:50 AM This song used to be sung on the Children's Hour which went to air in Australia, on the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Commission) from 5pm to 6pm, weekdays from around 1941 to 1972. I've never heard it anywhere else, but it's a sweet and haunting melody, with an Irish feel to it, which has stuck in my mind ever since. |
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Subject: ADD: Children Have Quizzical Ways From: Joe Offer Date: 26 Dec 08 - 07:32 PM Here are the lyrics and tune from the link Jim McLean provided: CHILDREN HAVE QUIZZICAL WAYS (learned from Catharine Lucas in 1962) A little boy read in a wonderful book So the little boy thought he would go take a look, He found him the brook and a fairy to love, The little boy grew to a man strong and brave, (from miriam berg's folksong collection)
Click to play |
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Subject: RE: ADD: Bickety Backety Book. Know this song? From: GUEST,Lorimer Nicoll Date: 06 Mar 09 - 12:57 AM We had this on a 78 record when we were growing up (late 40's, early 50's). It's been running through my mid for years. Thanks to all for the words - the tune is easy to remember, thank heavens. |
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Subject: RE: ADD: Bickety Backety Book. Know this song? From: GUEST,David Bassler Date: 24 Mar 09 - 10:23 PM Boris Karloff sang it on "The Rosemary Clooney Show" on January 9,1957. You can view his version here: http://www.archive.org/details/RCS-Boris_Karloff - it starts about the 19 minute mark. Now on YouTube. -Joe Offer, December 2012- |
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Subject: RE: ADD: Bickety Backety Book. Know this song? From: GUEST,Linda Hassinger Date: 20 May 10 - 06:40 PM just happened onto this question. The recording was the Mariners on Columbia in about 1949. They sang on the Arthur Godfrey Show. They were a great group, four men two black and two white. There is a CD of their music but it does not include this song. I still have this 78rpm record which I used to listen to when I was a little girl in the late 50's. I loved this song. |
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Subject: RE: ADD: Bickety Backety Book. Know this song? From: GUEST,leeneia Date: 20 May 10 - 11:57 PM There is a period, usually about age four, when children love playing with words, saying them for no reason and inventing rhymes and chants. For example, my eye happens to fall upon the word 'button' right now, and I can picture a 4-year-old saying 'button-mutton-lutton-nutton!' as she plays. This song, with its 'Bickety, backety, book' formula, seems calculated to appeal to children in the same way. I'm not surprised the song has endured, even if in a quiet way. |
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Subject: RE: ADD: Bickety Backety Book. Know this song? From: GUEST,Virginia Date: 23 Mar 11 - 10:47 AM For years and years and years I have hummed that song but only remembered the first two lines of the first verse! I have searched and searched and nobody had heard of it. 55 years ago when I was 18, I worked for a family as their housekeeper. They had four children and she sang it to her four kiddies. I learned it from her. Got married, had four babies of our own and I sang it to them, had grandchildren and sang it to them. One day I said to myself " wonder what would happen if I "Googled" bickety backety book!". Sure enough, here it is! My mouth is stll wide open with surprise and happiness. Thanks for helping me to hold on to some of my history. How valuable! Dr. Gin |
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Subject: RE: ADD: Bickety Backety Book. Know this song? From: GUEST,Marvin Huey Date: 02 Jun 11 - 11:45 PM I remember hearing this song done by Burl Ives when I was just a kid in the late forties or early fifties. I've never forgotten it and it will always bring back that time in my life. |
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Subject: RE: ADD: Bickety Backety Book. Know this song? From: GUEST,robert h digby michigan Date: 14 Jun 11 - 03:06 PM I remember it from late 40s or very early 50s-- running through my mind since on and off -- always wished I could have sung it to my kids but never remembered enough words. I can't recall if I heard it on radio eg on LETS PRETEND or BIG JON AND SPARKY, or what-- but I recall a man's voice with a stretchy quality (like Bill Clinton)-- but it could have been Burl Ives as the other guest mentioned above. It always had a melancholy sound to it like some Irish songs. Thanks for the memories. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Children Have Quizzical Ways From: GUEST Date: 31 Mar 12 - 09:59 PM My grandmother sung this to my mother on the early '50s and me I'm the early '70s. I have been trying to find more lyrics for years. This was very helpful! Thank you. Almost makes me cry. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Children Have Quizzical Ways From: GUEST,Barb Nielsen Date: 08 Sep 12 - 04:15 PM In the late 1950s, at the San Jose Public Library in California, there was an LP record in their collection that must have been specially produced. I do not remember the name of the album. It had various Hollywood actors, among them: Howard Duff (singing "One More for the Road"), Ida Lupino and Burl Ives (singing "Children Have Quizzical Ways"). If anyone else has other versions of this song/poem, please post them. Thanks, Barb |
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Subject: ADD Version: Children Have Quizzical Ways From: Joe Offer Date: 21 Dec 12 - 01:59 AM I found this on a YouTube Video of the "Rosemary Clooney Show," part 3 of a 1957 episode. You'll find it right at the beginning of the video. IMDB identifies it as an "English folk song." Here's my transcription: CHILDREN HAVE QUIZZICAL WAYS A little boy read in a wonderful book Bickety-backety-book That faerie-folk dwell in a dell by the brook Brickety-brackety-brook So he headed straight off, fast as short legs could walk Wickety wackety walk." I'll find them said he, and we'll have a good talk Tickety tackety talk. O-lea O-lay O-loo-loo My Darlin' Children have quizzical ways O-lea O-lay O-loo-loo My Darlin' Some keep them all of their days He came to a man who was mending a clock Clickety clackety clock. He got it to tick but it just wouldn't tock Tickety tackety tock. And the little boy cried, "Will you help me to look? Lickety lackety look. "Pooh, pooh!" said the man as his finger he shook Shickety shackety shook. [instrumental break] The little boy came to a door in a rock Rickety rackety rock It opened right up when he started to knock Knickety knackety knock And there were the leprechauns under an oak Ickety ackety oak A dancin' together like vapor and smoke Smickety smackety smoke O-lea O-lay O-loo-loo My Darlin' Children have quizzical ways O-lea O-lay O-loo-loo My Darlin' Some keep them all of their days Any corrections? Anybody know different versions? -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Children Have Quizzical Ways From: GUEST,Guest, Sydney Australia Date: 14 Aug 13 - 06:41 PM I heard this on the ABC Children's Hour/ Argonaut's Club when I was about 9 or 10. Over 40 years later and it is still a song that strikes a chord in me and I was delighted to find it here - for some reason(quite possibly inaccurately) I have always thought of it under the name Leprechaun Lullaby. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Children Have Quizzical Ways From: GUEST,Fannie Date: 01 Nov 13 - 12:26 PM I always thought it came from the musical, "Brigadoon," which I've never seen, only heard songs from it. But apparently it's an old children's song. I'm sure I heard it in the 40s or 50s. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Children Have Quizzical Ways From: GUEST Date: 19 Nov 14 - 06:08 PM Yes. I used to sing this song in the 50s. Played my guitar and sang it in Greenwich Village. Not from Brigadoon. You're confusing it with "More I cannot wish ya." Harriet |
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Subject: RE: Lyr ADD: Children Have Quizzical Ways From: GUEST,Peggy Date: 18 Dec 14 - 12:17 PM Another chorus is: Olee, olay, oloo my darling, people forget they were small, Olee, olay, oloo my darling, they think they are wise cause they're tall. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Children Have Quizzical Ways From: GUEST,Peter Date: 24 Sep 20 - 03:07 PM This song just popped into my head, God knows why, so I did a Google search and up popped this website! I could only remember a couple of verses and the chorus, but I remember the melody very well. I remember approximately when I heard it—during my childhood in the early 50s—and I think I know where: on a Saturday morning radio program for kids in San Diego, “No School Today, with Big John and Sparky.” I’m delighted to have all the verses. I’d write the melody if I knew how to do it in e-mail format. Peter in Oregon |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Children Have Quizzical Ways From: GUEST Date: 31 Jul 21 - 04:22 PM My mom sang this to my sister me with different words, same chorus. All we remember is: A little boy went for a walk in the wood, Wickity wackity walk, To look for a leprechaun under a rock Rickity rackity rock My sister remembers a verse about w little man mending a clock, but can’t remember it all I remember Dennis Day singing this on The Jack Benny show in the early 50s, it is not itunes |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Children Have Quizzical Ways From: GUEST Date: 31 Jul 21 - 05:07 PM Found it! It is called Leprechaun Lullaby and iTunes has versions of it. There seem to be several version but the melody and chorus are always the same |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Children Have Quizzical Ways From: GUEST,# Date: 31 Jul 21 - 06:13 PM Here it is by Boris Karloff https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lVgtOUWLv0 |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Children Have Quizzical Ways From: GUEST,Sandy LaRouche-the Snow Queen Date: 19 Sep 23 - 11:44 PM I know this song. I am 84 and it was taught to us by music teacher Charles Cordeal. I am looking because I would like to leave the memory to my great grandchildren. Bellesante has the lyric down beautifully. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Children Have Quizzical Ways From: GUEST,Sandy LaRouche The Snow Queen Date: 19 Sep 23 - 11:50 PM Bellasanta has all the lines except "So he hurried right down, fast as short legs could walk" and this come in after bickety backety book.I am so happy someone else knows this song. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Children Have Quizzical Ways From: GUEST,Sandy LaRouche-the Snow Queen Date: 19 Sep 23 - 11:44 PM I know this song. I am 84 and it was taught to us by music teacher Charles Cordeal. I am looking because I would like to leave the memory to my great grandchildren. Bellesante has the lyric down beautifully. |
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Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Children Have Quizzical Ways From: GUEST,Sandy LaRouche The Snow Queen Date: 19 Sep 23 - 11:50 PM Bellasanta has all the lines except "So he hurried right down, fast as short legs could walk" and this come in after bickety backety book.I am so happy someone else knows this song. |
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