The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
My sister's name is Puudin' Tame,
They asked if she would stay the same,
My brother's name is Little Jack Horner
My mama asked to watch to heat warm them.
Sister told papa when he got home,
Papa, papa, he sassed and moaned,
Papa looked at brother, far in his eyes,
Brother started on the hand jive.
He called sister, and he called mom,
Said, "Look here, look here, what's this going on?"
Everybody had a real surprise,
But brother had tears in his eyes.
Brother's so scared he couldn't walk,
Papa's afraid he could not talk.
They asked if she would stay the same,
My brother's name is Little Jack Horner
My mama asked to watch to heat warm them.
Sister told papa when he got home,
Papa, papa, he sassed and moaned,
Papa looked at brother, far in his eyes,
Brother started on the hand jive.
He called sister, and he called mom,
Said, "Look here, look here, what's this going on?"
Everybody had a real surprise,
But brother had tears in his eyes.
Brother's so scared he couldn't walk,
Papa's afraid he could not talk.
Lyrics submitted by Ocean Soul
Nursery Rhyme Lyrics as written by Ellis Mcdaniel
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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