A Tisket a Tasket
Chick Webb & Ella Fitzgerald Lyrics
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A brown and yellow basket
I send a letter to my mommy
On the way I dropped it
I dropped it, I dropped it
Yes, on the way I dropped it
A little girlie picked it up
She was truckin' on down the avenue
But not a single thing to do
She went peck, peck, peckin' all around
When she spied it on the ground
She took it, she took it
My little yellow basket
And if she doesn't bring it back
I think that I will die
A-tisket, a-tasket
I lost yellow basket
And if that girlie don't return it
Don't know what I'll do
Oh dear, I wonder where my basket can be
(So do we, so do we, so do we, so do we, so do we)
Oh gee, I wish that little girl I could see
(So do we, so do we, so do we, so do we, so do we)
Oh, why was I so careless with that basket of mine
That itty-bitty basket was a joy of mine
A-tisket, a-tasket
I lost my yellow basket
Won't someone help me find my basket
And make me happy again, again
(Was it green?) no no no no
(Was it red?) no no no no
(Was it blue?) no no no no
Just a little yellow basket
A little yellow basket
The song A-Tisket A-Tasket by Chick Webb & His Orchestra feat. Ella Fitzgerald tells the story of a young girl who buys a green and yellow basket for her mother but drops it on the way. As she continues walking down the avenue, she sees a little girl pick up the basket and take it to the market. The singer then pleas for the little girl to return the basket as it is important to her, even though it is just a little yellow basket.
The song has a playful, catchy tune with witty lyrics. The repetition of the phrase "A-tisket a-tasket" throughout the song creates a fun and memorable melody. It is a light-hearted tune that you can dance to, sing along with and appreciate its playful nature. It is a testament to the creativity of the lyricist who used a common nursery rhyme to create a completely new song with a twist.
Line by Line Meaning
A-tisket a-tasket
I had a green-and-yellow basket
A green-and-yellow basket
A basket that I bought for my mommie
I bought a basket for my mommie
I bought a basket for my mother
On the way I dropped it
While I was on the way, I accidentally dropped it
I dropped it, I dropped it
I dropped my basket, oh yes, I dropped it
Yes, on the way I dropped it
Yes, while I was walking, I dropped it on the ground
A little girlie picked it up
A young girl picked up my basket from the pavement
And took it to the market
She took it with her to the market
She was truckin' on down the avenue
She was happily walking down the street
Without a single thing to do
Without any responsibilities or plans
She was peck, peck, peckin' all around
She was looking around and exploring her surroundings
When she spied it on the ground
She noticed my basket lying on the ground
A-tisket a-tasket
My basket, which was yellow
She took my yellow basket
The young girl picked up and took my yellow basket with her
And if she doesn't bring it back
If she doesn't return my basket
I think that I shall die
I will be extremely upset and devastated
(Was it red?) No, no, no, no
It was not a red basket
(Was it brown?) No, no, no, no
It was not a brown basket
(Was it blue?) No, no, no, no
It was not a blue basket
Just a little yellow basket
It was a small basket that was colored yellow
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ella Fitzgerald, Van Alexander
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jefffriedberg
I remember skipping to this around 1948
@Trombonology
I have to hand it to Ella -- she recognized much greater potential in the little nursery ditty than I ever would have. Poor Chick -- one of the finest drummers of the Swing Era and one of the hardest-working bandleaders, had hardly over a year to live after waxing this, his orchestra's biggest hit.
@adonaiyah2196
Chick webb had so much potential
@steelers6titles
He had major health problems, including a severe spinal deformity. But it didn't hold him back on the skins. Chick pounded so hard his kit had to be anchored to the floor.
@Trombonology
@@steelers6titles Yes, I've read extensively on Chick. Krupa idolized him.
@fluffshepnetwork7067
@@Trombonology Yes. Krupa and also Buddy Rich & Art Blakey.
@ZephaniahL
Love that verb "waxing!"
@josephfollo7530
How musical was Ella? She sang this song lights out when she was only a little more than a kid. She was universally respected as a singer. One of the greatest ever.
@creighton8069
Thank God for Youtube, It is a joy to get to hear this music and enjoy it today.
@steelers6titles
Chick, a father figure to Ella, died in 1939. Ella took over the band and ran it until she left for solo stardom.