Art Mooney (4 February 1911, Brooklyn, New York — 1993, Florida) was a popu… Read Full Bio ↴Art Mooney (4 February 1911, Brooklyn, New York — 1993, Florida) was a popular bandleader. His biggest hits were "I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover" and "Baby Face" in 1948 and "Nuttin' For Christmas," with Barry Gordon, in 1955. His song "Honey-Babe" was used in the motion picture "Battle Cry" and reached the top 10 (USA) in 1955.
Mooney's name, as well as his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, was prominently featured in the motion picture The Adventures of Ford Fairlane.

Honey Babe
Art Mooney Lyrics

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Go to your left, your right, your left
Go to your left, your right, your left
I'm just like a prairie flower, honey, honey
I'm just like a prairie flower, babe, babe
I'm just like a prairie flower
Growing wild by the hour
Honey, oh baby, mine
Go to your left, your right, your left

Go to your left, your right, your left
I'm engaged to marry Sue, honey, honey
I'm engaged to marry Sue, babe, babe
I'm afraid to get undressed
'Cause Mary's tatooed on my chest
Honey, oh baby, mine
Look around, look around
Come join the happy hunting ground
Seven women to each guy
What a lovely way to die
Honey, oh baby, mine
Go to your left, your right, your left
Go to your left, your right, your left
Go to your left, your right, your left
Go to your left, your right, your left
Got a gal in every port, honey, honey
Got a gal in every port, babe, babe
Got a gal in every port
They're suing me for non-support
Honey, oh baby, mine
Go to your left, your right, your left
Go to your left, your right, your left
Never saw a dame so large, honey, honey
Broader than a landing barge, babe, babe
For kissin' her, they gave to me
The purple heart for bravery
Honey, oh baby, mine
Yes-sirrree, yes-sirrree
Can you name the same as Lauralee
She ain't much but what the heck
I'm her favorite leatherneck
Honey, oh baby, mine
Go to your left, your right, your left
Go to your left, your right, your left
Go to your left, your right, your left
Go to your left, your right, your left
Go to your left, your right, your left
Go to your left, your right, your left
Nickle in the drink machine, honey, honey
Nickle in the drink machine, babe, babe
Down the hatch and never stop
Gonna drink until I drop
Honey, oh baby, mine
Go to your left, your right, your left
Go to your left, your right, your left

Go to your left, your right, your left
Alvino99

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Art Mooney's "Honey Babe" are quite simple yet carry a deeper meaning. The main chorus "Go to your left, your right, your left" suggests a dance-like movement, which is then paired with the next line "I'm just like a prairie flower, honey, honey" that expresses the singer's delicate and wild nature. He likens himself to a prairie flower growing wild by the hour, embodying the idea of following your natural instinct and dancing to your own rhythm.

Later in the song, the lyrics take on a more humorous tone as the singer reveals he's engaged to marry Sue but is afraid to get undressed because Mary's tattooed on his chest. He then boasts about having a gal in every port but reveals they're suing him for non-support. The lyrics poke fun at the idea of a man living a player lifestyle, ultimately portraying it as more trouble than it's worth.

Overall, the lyrics of "Honey Babe" convey a message of living life to the fullest, following your own rhythm, and not taking things too seriously. It encourages listeners to let loose and enjoy the simpler things in life, all while subtly criticizing the idea of a promiscuous lifestyle.

Line by Line Meaning

Go to your left, your right, your left
Move from side to side in a rhythmic pattern

Go to your left, your right, your left
Repeat the previous action

I'm just like a prairie flower, honey, honey
I am delicate, beautiful and grow freely

I'm just like a prairie flower, babe, babe
I am lovely and unique like a wildflower

I'm just like a prairie flower Growing wild by the hour Honey, oh baby, mine
I am growing more beautiful and captivating every hour

I'm engaged to marry Sue, honey, honey
I am committed to marry Sue

I'm engaged to marry Sue, babe, babe
I have made a promise to marry Sue

I'm afraid to get undressed 'Cause Mary's tatooed on my chest Honey, oh baby, mine
I have a tattoo of someone else's name on my chest and I feel guilty about it

Look around, look around Come join the happy hunting ground Seven women to each guy What a lovely way to die Honey, oh baby, mine
This is a place where men have many women and a great place to be in love

Got a gal in every port, honey, honey
I have a woman in every city I go to

Got a gal in every port, babe, babe
I have a sweetheart in every port

Got a gal in every port They're suing me for non-support Honey, oh baby, mine
The women are charging me for neglecting them

Never saw a dame so large, honey, honey Broader than a landing barge, babe, babe
I have never seen a woman as big as her

For kissin' her, they gave to me The purple heart for bravery Honey, oh baby, mine
I am a hero for kissing her and surviving

Yes-sirrree, yes-sirrree Can you name the same as Lauralee She ain't much but what the heck I'm her favorite leatherneck Honey, oh baby, mine
I am Lauralee's favorite and it doesn't matter if she's not much to others

Nickle in the drink machine, honey, honey Down the hatch and never stop Gonna drink until I drop Honey, oh baby, mine
I am drinking without stopping until I am too drunk to stand

Writer(s): Webster, Steiner

Contributed by Harper B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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