The Coo Coo Bird
Ashley Clarence Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On a mountian so high
So I can see Willie
As he goes on by
Um hmm hmm
Oh the coo-coo is a pretty bird
She never hollers coo-coo
'Til the fourth day of July
I've played cards in England
I've played cards in Spain
I'll bet you ten dollars
I'll beat you next game
Jack of diamonds, Jack of diamonds
I've known you from old
Now you've robbed my poor pockets
Of my silver and my gold
Um hmm hmm
I've played cards in England
I've played cards in Spain
I'll bet you ten dollars
I beat you this game
Oh the coo-coo is a pretty bird
She wobbles when she flies
She never hollers coo-coo
'Til the fourth day of July
The first verse of "Coo Coo Bird" talks about building a log cabin on a high mountain so that the singer can see Willie as he goes by. This could be seen as a metaphor for wanting to better oneself in life and aspire to higher things. The second verse speaks about the coo-coo bird, who is known for her beauty and a distinct wobble when she flies. She never cries out "coo-coo" until the fourth of July, which could be seen as a metaphor for how even the most beautiful things sometimes require a specific trigger to be fully appreciated or fully express themselves.
The third verse is about playing cards in different countries, and the singer's confidence in their ability to win the next game. This could be interpreted as a way to show the singer's skill and adaptability, as well as their competitive nature. The final verse brings the focus back to the coo-coo bird, emphasizing its beauty and unique qualities. Overall, the song seems to be about appreciating the simple things in life, finding joy in nature, and striving for personal growth.
Line by Line Meaning
Gonna build me a log cabin
I have a determination to construct myself a home away from civilization.
On a mountian so high
I want to build my house on an elevated place that is close to nature and offers a great view.
So I can see Willie
I wish to reside in a place where I can have a glimpse of Willie, a person of significance to me.
As he goes on by
This person, Willie, moves around frequently, and therefore, I want to keep an eye on him whenever he passes by.
Um hmm hmm
This lyric has no specific meaning but is used to convey a humming sound to the listener.
Oh the coo-coo is a pretty bird
The coo-coo is an attractive bird with an unusual manner of flying.
She wobbles when she flies
When the coo-coo flies, it moves unsteadily or falters its wings.
She never hollers coo-coo
It's not common for the coo-coo bird to make its distinctive call frequently.
'Til the fourth day of July
The coo-coo bird is often heard producing its unique sound during the fourth day of July.
I've played cards in England
I have experience of playing card games in England.
I've played cards in Spain
I have played card games in Spain too.
I'll bet you ten dollars
I am willing to wager ten dollars in a card game.
I'll beat you next game
I am confident that I will win the next game that we play.
Jack of diamonds, jack of diamonds
The singer references the jack of diamonds card in a card game.
I've known you from old
I have known the person I am playing cards with from a long time.
Now you've robbed my poor pockets
You have taken my money away from me, leaving me broke.
Of my silver and my gold
I had kept silver and gold coins in my pockets, which the other person has taken away.
I beat you this game
I have won the current card game that we were playing.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: THOMAS CLARENCE ASHLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@danielthompson6207
Born 1895 and we get to watch and listen to him today. What a time to be alive.
@joannehack7588
AMEN
@joannehack7588
I do believe this to be the best video I have ever heard on Facebook. 💐
@435982814
it is precisely video footage such as this that makes me believe youtube to be the most important media technology of the last 50 years. What a pleasure indeed, to witness something of the personality of someone you've heretofore only heard sing and play a banjo, a pleasure which cannot be overemphasized. Thank you so much for posting this video, cannot stop watching it. A mighty, mighty man!
@SteveCournane
Beautiful
@insleepsound
amen interweb brother!
@robkunkel8833
Well said Kevin Galli ghig .... however you spell it. You are right as rain!
@ginomatteucci8756
Kevin Gallaugher q
@ryankieta9770
wew lad
@BertisGuitar
A Greil Marcus quote - “Clarence Ashley was one of the greatest of the old—timey singers—those who, in the first third of the twentieth century, sang as if the new century was a trick that would disappear soon enough…”