Polly Wolly Doodle
Countdown Kids Lyrics


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Oh, I went down south to see my Sal
Singing Polly Wolly doodle all the day
My Sal she am a spunky gal
Singing Polly Wolly doodle all the day

Fare thee well, fare thee well
Fare thee well my fairy fay
Oh, I'm goin' to Louisiana for to see my Susi-anna
Singing Polly Wolly doodle all the day

Oh, my Sal she is a maiden fair
Singing Polly Wolly doodle all the day
With curly eyes and laughing hair
Singing Polly Wolly doodle all the day

Fare thee well, fare thee well
Fare thee well my fairy fay
Oh, I'm goin' to Louisiana for to see my Susi-anna
Singing Polly Wolly doodle all the day

A bullfrog sitting on a railroad track
Singing Polly Wolly doodle all the day
Just picking his teeth with a carpet tack
Singing Polly Wolly doodle all the day

Fare thee well, fare thee well
Fare thee well my fairy fay
Oh, I'm goin' to Louisiana for to see my Susi-anna
Singing Polly Wolly doodle all the day

Behind the barn, down on my knees
Singing Polly Wolly doodle all the day
I thought I heard a chicken sneeze
Singing Polly Wolly doodle all the day

Fare thee well, fare thee well
Fare thee well my fairy fay
Oh, I'm goin' to Louisiana for to see my Susi-anna
Singing Polly Wolly doodle all the day

Fare thee well, fare thee well
Fare thee well my fairy fay




Oh, I'm goin' to Louisiana for to see my Susi-anna
Singing Polly Wolly doodle all the day

Overall Meaning

The song Polly Wolly Doodle is a traditional American folk song that is believed to have originated in the Southern United States in the mid-19th century. The lyrics tell of a man who travels down south to see his friend Sal, who is described as being spunky and lively. The man sings the refrain "Polly Wolly Doodle all the day" several times throughout the song, which may have been a nod to the African-American "work song" style that was popular among slaves in the South during this time period.


The second verse introduces the idea of the man traveling further to Louisiana to see his "Susi-anna" and the third verse features a bullfrog picking his teeth on a railroad track, accompanied by the refrain once again. The final verse sees the man down on his knees behind the barn, claiming to have heard a chicken sneeze.


The song's lyrics are catchy and playful, and the melody is simple and repetitive. It is often sung in a call-and-response style, with one singer or group echoing the phrases of another.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, I went down south to see my Sal
I traveled down south to meet my love Sal


Singing Polly Wolly doodle all the day
I sang the catchy tune 'Polly Wolly Doodle' throughout the day


My Sal she am a spunky gal
My Sal is a spirited and lively young woman


Fare thee well, fare thee well
Goodbye, goodbye


Fare thee well my fairy fay
Goodbye, my lovely companion


Oh, I'm goin' to Louisiana for to see my Susi-anna
I am heading to Louisiana to visit my other lover, Susi-anna


Oh, my Sal she is a maiden fair
My Sal is a beautiful and pure maiden


With curly eyes and laughing hair
She has curly hair and sparkling eyes that radiate joy


A bullfrog sitting on a railroad track
I saw a bullfrog resting on a train track


Just picking his teeth with a carpet tack
The frog was using a carpet tack to clean its teeth


Behind the barn, down on my knees
I was kneeling behind the barn


I thought I heard a chicken sneeze
I mistakenly believed that I heard a chicken sneeze




Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Buddy Desylva, Sidney Clare

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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