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.
In the puddle by the trail it flips it's tiny tail
Just like a great big whale but smaller than a snail
It's a pollywog in a bog
Swims under soggy logs
One day he'll be a frog
Pollywog in a bog
Overhead a cedar tree gives the shade he needs
Munching while he feeds on lily pads and weeds
Knows not where he's from
Or how his life had begun
He's not the only one
And soon he'll breathe through lungs
It's hard to believe
With the arms you'll receive
You'll life your head above the water and breathe
Gills shrink away and may there come a day
When you reach the shore with a whole world to explore
Ribbit ribbit a tadpole exhibit
It's a transformation no one can inhibit
Amphibian change may seem strange
Take them gills and the tail and they all rearrange
Out come the legs for the jump! jump!
Hope to the top of the stump! stump!
Out come the legs for the jump! jump!
Hope to the top of the stump! stump!
Where the mud is deep frost will soon creep
And without a peep a frog is fast asleep
[Repeat x2]
It was a pollywog in a bog
Swam under soggy logs
In the morning fog
Pollywog in a bog.
Just like a great big whale but smaller than a snail
It's a pollywog in a bog
Swims under soggy logs
One day he'll be a frog
Pollywog in a bog
Overhead a cedar tree gives the shade he needs
Munching while he feeds on lily pads and weeds
Knows not where he's from
Or how his life had begun
He's not the only one
And soon he'll breathe through lungs
It's hard to believe
With the arms you'll receive
You'll life your head above the water and breathe
Gills shrink away and may there come a day
When you reach the shore with a whole world to explore
Ribbit ribbit a tadpole exhibit
It's a transformation no one can inhibit
Amphibian change may seem strange
Take them gills and the tail and they all rearrange
Out come the legs for the jump! jump!
Hope to the top of the stump! stump!
Out come the legs for the jump! jump!
Hope to the top of the stump! stump!
Where the mud is deep frost will soon creep
And without a peep a frog is fast asleep
[Repeat x2]
It was a pollywog in a bog
Swam under soggy logs
In the morning fog
Pollywog in a bog.
Lyrics submitted by gravity_defiant
Pollywog in a Bog Lyrics as written by Jim Creeggan Ed Robertson
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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Damn that's cute.
I had thought it might be a metaphor but it never occurred to me how it might link together a little tadpole to a little person.