Mama's Going to Buy You a Mockingbird Book
November 3, 2013 7:21 PM
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?
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
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
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
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posted by pretentious illiterate at 7:36 PM on November 3, 2013