Darin was a very special and talented entertainer. He was a Grammy award winning singer ('Mack The Knife'), a respected member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ('Dream Lover', 'Splish Splash', 'If I Were A Carpenter') a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a successful record producer, an Oscar nominated actor and a strong supporter of the American Heart Association. Bobby was married to actress Sandra Dee from 1960-1967. They had one son, Dodd, born in December 1961. As a result of complications from a rheumatic heart, Bobby's life was tragically cut short in 1973.
Darin's mother, Vanina Cassotto, had given birth to him when she was 16, and as a result, her parents raised Darin as though he were their son while Vanina was presented off as his elder sister. Darin did not learn the truth about his parentage until he was 32.
For more on Bobby Darin, watch "Beyond the Sea," in which Kevin Spacey portrays the entertainer.
I Ain't Gonna Give Nobody None of My Jelly Roll
Bobby Darin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How `bout your short'nin' bread
Oh, I wouldn't give you a piece a pie to save your soul
I guess that's what you said
To buy groceries
To be a good boy, she'd give me a toy
'Cause I'm my Mama's pride and joy
There ain't no use of anyone to keep a hangin' `round
Maybe I'm waitin' on your Ma
You don't know my Ma, she'd really put you down
Put me down
Ma's bakin' up a storm, and her oven is still warm
I know you want it, but you can't have it
And I ain't gonna give you none
You dirty boy!
I ain't gonna give nobody none of my jellyroll
Oh, such a stingy chap!
I wouldn't give you a piece a pie to save your soul
How `bout a zuzu snap
Her cherry pie is fine, her layer cake divine
But I'm tellin' you twice, you can't get a slice
Unless you're extra special nice
Now, there ain't no use of you to just keep a hangin' `round
Oh, pretty please
I love you but I hate to put you down
Yeah, my jellyroll is sweet
That it is!
It sure is hard to beat
Well, I know they want it
But, they can't have it
Yeah, ho-ho Miss Nelly, I mean my jellyroll
Dibs on the dishpan
I got seconds
The lyrics of Bobby Darin's song "I Ain't Gonna Give Nobody None of My Jelly Roll" is a playful exchange between two people who desire each other's baked goods. The phrase "jelly roll" refers to a type of cake that is rolled with jelly or jam inside. The segment "I ain't gonna give nobody none of my jelly roll" refers to the idea that the singer is not going to share his/her cake with anyone. The rest of the lyrics continue in the same vein, with the singer denying the other person a piece of pie or shortbread as well.
Throughout the song, the singer makes it clear that while they may like the other person, they are not going to give in to their desires for baked goods. The exchange continues with references to cherry pie and layer cake, with the singer repeating the idea that they will not share their sweets. The song ends with the line "dibs on the dishpan, I got seconds," which implies that the exchange was a playful and lighthearted conversation between two friends, rather than a serious argument.
Line by Line Meaning
I ain't gonna give nobody none of my jellyroll
I will not share any of my valuable possessions or talents with anyone
How `bout your short'nin' bread
Would you like some other food instead?
Oh, I wouldn't give you a piece a pie to save your soul
I have no interest in giving you anything
I guess that's what you said
I understand and acknowledge your statement
My Ma told me today, when she went away To buy groceries To be a good boy, she'd give me a toy'Cause I'm my Mama's pride and joy
My mother left to buy groceries and promised to get me a toy, as I am the light of her life
There ain't no use of anyone to keep a hangin' `round
There is no benefit to you being here
Maybe I'm waitin' on your Ma
Perhaps I am waiting for your mother
You don't know my Ma, she'd really put you down Put me down
My mother has a sharp tongue and would insult you as well as me
Ma's bakin' up a storm, and her oven is still warm I know you want it, but you can't have it And I ain't gonna give you none You dirty boy!
My mother is currently baking, and though you desire what she's made, you will not receive any. You are both wanting and inappropriate with your request
Oh, such a stingy chap!
You are a miserly man
How `bout a zuzu snap
Would you like something else instead?
Her cherry pie is fine, her layer cake divine But I'm tellin' you twice, you can't get a slice Unless you're extra special nice
While my mother's desserts are delicious, I am repeating that you won't get any unless you are exceptionally polite
Now, there ain't no use of you to just keep a hangin' `round Oh, pretty please I love you but I hate to put you down
There's no need for you to remain here. Even though I care for you, I don't want to be rude
Yeah, my jellyroll is sweet That it is! It sure is hard to beat Well, I know they want it But, they can't have it Yeah, ho-ho Miss Nelly, I mean my jellyroll Dibs on the dishpan I got seconds
My jellyroll is undoubtedly amazing, and everyone desires it. Nevertheless, it's mine and not for others to have. I will lick it clean myself.
Lyrics © SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: C. WILLIAMS, S. WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Daniel
on Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home
One heck of a entertainer. A life cut way to soon. RIP Mr. Darin. Remember one thing he was one of the first Emmy winners, in the late 50s. When the emmys started.