Mama's Going to Buy You a Mockingbird Book
November 3, 2013 7:21 PM Subscribe
I'm trying to track down a book from my childhood that is a version of the Mama's Going to Buy You a Mockingbird song.
The book is rectangular, and it's a boy singing (I think to the father) about what Mama is going to buy him. It includes the following elements (I think):
A diamond ring that turns brass, then mama buys a looking glass.
A looking glass that gets broke, then mama buys a billy goat.
A billy goat that runs away, then mama buys a big bouquet.
A big bouquet that won't smell, then mama buys a wishing well.
A wishing well that won't wish, then mama buys a big catfish.
A big catfish that turns green, and then mama buys a flying machine.
A flying machine that falls down, and then mama buys a silly clown.
A clown that starts cryin', and then mama buys a baby lion.
At least, this is what I seem to remember. Does this ring any bells for anyone?
The book is rectangular, and it's a boy singing (I think to the father) about what Mama is going to buy him. It includes the following elements (I think):
A diamond ring that turns brass, then mama buys a looking glass.
A looking glass that gets broke, then mama buys a billy goat.
A billy goat that runs away, then mama buys a big bouquet.
A big bouquet that won't smell, then mama buys a wishing well.
A wishing well that won't wish, then mama buys a big catfish.
A big catfish that turns green, and then mama buys a flying machine.
A flying machine that falls down, and then mama buys a silly clown.
A clown that starts cryin', and then mama buys a baby lion.
At least, this is what I seem to remember. Does this ring any bells for anyone?
Best answer: I don't know the book, but I have known this song literally my entire life thanks to the Peter Paul & Mommy album. You mention a lot of verses / iterations which aren't in the version I know, but it's definitely the same song.
posted by hippybear at 10:40 PM on November 3, 2013
posted by hippybear at 10:40 PM on November 3, 2013
Best answer: Hush, little baby, don't say a word.
Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird
If that mockingbird won't sing,
Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring
If that diamond ring turns brass,
Papa's gonna buy you a looking glass
If that looking glass gets broke,
Papa's gonna buy you a billy goat
If that billy runs away,
Papa's gonna buy you a... [memory fail]
posted by TWinbrook8 at 12:40 AM on November 4, 2013
Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird
If that mockingbird won't sing,
Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring
If that diamond ring turns brass,
Papa's gonna buy you a looking glass
If that looking glass gets broke,
Papa's gonna buy you a billy goat
If that billy runs away,
Papa's gonna buy you a... [memory fail]
posted by TWinbrook8 at 12:40 AM on November 4, 2013
Best answer: I don't know how long ago your childhood was, but in mine, the version of the song I always heard was about Papa buying the mockingbird and etc. The "Mama" version seems newer to me*. Is it possible the storybook you had was Papa not Mama?
*For all I know, the Mama version might be the true original, but Papa was what I heard growing up in the 70s.
posted by tomboko at 4:05 AM on November 4, 2013
*For all I know, the Mama version might be the true original, but Papa was what I heard growing up in the 70s.
posted by tomboko at 4:05 AM on November 4, 2013
Response by poster: Yes, that's right! Those clues lead me to the book, after many failed attempts. This book is it.
Thanks, everyone, for your help. Mystery solved.
posted by SpacemanStix at 11:05 AM on November 4, 2013
Thanks, everyone, for your help. Mystery solved.
posted by SpacemanStix at 11:05 AM on November 4, 2013
Response by poster: Oops, that link died. It's this one.
posted by SpacemanStix at 1:36 PM on November 4, 2013
posted by SpacemanStix at 1:36 PM on November 4, 2013
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posted by pretentious illiterate at 7:36 PM on November 3, 2013