Henry My Son
Arlo Guthrie & Pete Seeger Lyrics
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Henry my son?
Where have you been all the day,
My currant bun?
In the woods, dear mother
In the woods, dear mother
Mother be quick I got to be sick and
Lay me down to die.
What did you do in the woods all day,
Henry my boy?
What did you do in the woods all day,
My saveloy?
Ate, dear mother. Ate, dear mother.
Mother be quick I got to be sick and
Lay me down to die.
What did you eat in the woods all day,
Henry my son?
What did you eat in the woods all day
My pretty one?
Eels, dear mother. Eels, dear mother.
Mother be quick I got to be sick and
Lay me down to die.
What color were those eels, Henry
My boy?
What color were those eels, my pride and joy
Green and yeller. Green and yeller.
Mother be quick I got to be sick and
Lay me down to die.
Those eels were snakes, Henry my son.
Those eels were snakes, my pretty one.
Urgh, dear mother. Urgh, dear mother.
Mother be quick I got to be sick and
Lay me down to die.
The lyrics of Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger's song Henry My Son are a conversation between a mother and her son, Henry. The song begins with the mother asking Henry where he has been all day. Henry responds by saying he has been in the woods and then asks his mother to lay him down to die as he is feeling sick. The mother then asks what Henry did in the woods all day, and Henry replies that he ate. When asked what he ate, Henry answers eels and then asks his mother to lay him down to die as he is feeling sick again. The mother then asks what color the eels were, and Henry replies that they were green and yellow. However, when the mother tells Henry that those eels were actually snakes, Henry becomes disgusted and again asks his mother to lay him down to die.
The song is a cautionary tale about the importance of being aware of one's surroundings and knowing how to identify dangerous creatures in nature. The mother's questions reveal Henry's lack of knowledge and suggest that he may have eaten something without knowing what it was.
Overall, the lyrics suggest that there are consequences to actions taken without proper knowledge or consideration. The conversation between the mother and son also highlights the relationship between a parent and child, with the mother trying to protect and educate her son even as he faces danger.
Line by Line Meaning
Where have you been all the day, Henry my son?
Mother, where have you been all day? I'm your son, Henry.
Where have you been all the day, My currant bun?
Mother, where have you been all day? 'Currant bun' is a term of endearment.
In the woods, dear mother
I spent the day in the woods, mother.
Mother be quick I got to be sick and Lay me down to die.
Mother, I feel very ill and need to rest.
What did you do in the woods all day, Henry my boy?
Henry, what did you do in the woods all day? I'm using 'boy' as a term of endearment.
What did you do in the woods all day, My saveloy?
Henry, what did you do in the woods all day? 'Saveloy' is a term of endearment.
Ate, dear mother. Ate, dear mother.
Mother, I ate in the woods.
What did you eat in the woods all day, Henry my son?
Henry, what did you eat in the woods all day? I'm your mother.
What did you eat in the woods all day, My pretty one?
Henry, what did you eat in the woods all day? 'Pretty one' is a term of endearment.
Eels, dear mother. Eels, dear mother.
Mother, I ate eels in the woods.
What color were those eels, Henry My boy?
Henry, what color were the eels you ate? I'm using 'boy' as a term of endearment.
What color were those eels, my pride and joy?
Henry, what color were the eels you ate? 'Pride and joy' is a term of endearment.
Green and yeller. Green and yeller.
The eels I ate were green and yellow.
Those eels were snakes, Henry my son.
Henry, those 'eels' you ate were actually snakes. I'm your mother.
Those eels were snakes, my pretty one.
Henry, those 'eels' you ate were actually snakes. 'Pretty one' is a term of endearment.
Urgh, dear mother. Urgh, dear mother.
Mother, I feel disgusted and sick.
Mother be quick I got to be sick and Lay me down to die.
Mother, I feel very ill and need to rest.
Lyrics © THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: JIM GOULD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind