Turtle Dove
Burl Ives Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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Turtle dove done drooped his wings
Turtle dove done drooped his wings
Turtle dove done drooped his wings
Went on Zion's hill to sing

Chorus
Adam and Eve, no, no
Adam and Eve, don't tell it to me
Meet me at the door, don't tell it to me
There's sasalado on solasaree

My name is written on David's line
My name is written on David's line
My name is written on David's line
I'm going to heaven on the wheel of time

[chorus]

When I get to heaven I know the rules
When I get to heaven I know the rules
When I get to heaven I know the rules
I keep on down to the bathing pool

[chorus]

Turtle dove done drooped his wings
Turtle dove done drooped his wings
Turtle dove done drooped his wings
Went on Zion's hill to sing





[chorus]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Burl Ives's song "Turtle Dove" present a story that combines elements of Christianity and African American folklore. The song begins with a description of a turtle dove who has "drooped his wings" and gone to sing on Zion's hill. This verse may be interpreted as a metaphor for a person who has passed away and gone to heaven (Zion). The chorus then introduces the characters of Adam and Eve, but the singer refuses to hear their story and instead invites them to meet him at the door. The lyrics "sasalado on solasaree" are difficult to interpret, but are likely African American vernacular or nonsense words that rhyme with the previous line.


The second verse suggests that the singer's name is written on David's line, likely referring to the Book of Psalms in the Bible, which is attributed to King David. The singer states that they are going to heaven on the "wheel of time," a symbol that may represent the cyclical nature of life and death. The chorus repeats, with the singer refusing to hear the story of Adam and Eve and instead inviting them to meet him at the door.


The final verse suggests that the singer is confident in their knowledge of the rules of heaven and plans to go to the "bathing pool." This may refer to the biblical concept of baptism or to the idea of cleansing in preparation for entering heaven. The song ends with a repetition of the first verse, emphasizing the turtle dove's journey to Zion and the ongoing symbolism of death and rebirth.


Line by Line Meaning

Turtle dove done drooped his wings
The turtle dove has become sad and lost its energy


Turtle dove done drooped his wings
The turtle dove has become sad and lost its energy


Turtle dove done drooped his wings
The turtle dove has become sad and lost its energy


Went on Zion's hill to sing
The turtle dove goes to a place of religious significance to express itself musically


Chorus
Recurring refrain


Adam and Eve, no, no
I don't want to hear about Adam and Eve


Adam and Eve, don't tell it to me
I don't want to hear about Adam and Eve


Meet me at the door, don't tell it to me
Let's not discuss Adam and Eve, just meet me at the door


There's sasalado on solasaree
A nonsensical phrase used for its musicality


My name is written on David's line
I believe I am destined for great things, like King David


My name is written on David's line
I believe I am destined for great things, like King David


My name is written on David's line
I believe I am destined for great things, like King David


I'm going to heaven on the wheel of time
I believe I will eventually reach heaven, guided by the passage of time


[chorus]
Recurring refrain


When I get to heaven I know the rules
I am confident that I will know how to behave in heaven when I die


When I get to heaven I know the rules
I am confident that I will know how to behave in heaven when I die


When I get to heaven I know the rules
I am confident that I will know how to behave in heaven when I die


I keep on down to the bathing pool
I have a plan for leisurely activities in heaven


[chorus]
Recurring refrain


Turtle dove done drooped his wings
The turtle dove has become sad and lost its energy


Turtle dove done drooped his wings
The turtle dove has become sad and lost its energy


Turtle dove done drooped his wings
The turtle dove has become sad and lost its energy


Went on Zion's hill to sing
The turtle dove goes to a place of religious significance to express itself musically


[chorus]
Recurring refrain




Contributed by Sydney I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@njva17420

I haven't heard this song since I was a kid. My family had bought this record so many years ago. For some reason Burl's great singing of this song came to me in the middle of the night.

@fiveanddimer

As a boy I owned this album, along with many other Ives albums. That was over 50 years ago.

@killgreed5943

Thank you, for the upload, I have this also!

@killgreed5943

l
Still awesome!

@bettro96

i appreciate that you uploaded it with the record grain. that's literally my favorite noise ever--it makes these songs 100% better

@Jambo4110

I am forever UNgrateful to the Beatles who helped to eclipse this great American. The US never produced a finer singer.

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