A-Tisket A-Tasket
Eddy Howard Lyrics
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A green and yellow basket
I bought a basket for my mommie
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
And took it to the market
Avenue without a single thing to do
She was peck, peck, peckin' all around
When she spied it on the ground
A-Tisket A-Tasket
She took my yellow basket
And if she doesn't bring it back
I think that I shall die
(Was it red?)
No, no, no, no
(Was it brown?)
No, no, no, no
(Was it blue)
No, no, no, no
Just a little yellow basket
The song A-Tisket A-Tasket by Eddy Howard talks about a little girl who purchased a green and yellow basket for her mother. While on her way, she accidentally drops the basket, which is then found by another girl who takes it to the market. The singer, who happens to be the one who purchased the basket, sings in distress that if the girl doesn't bring it back, he would die. However, as he tries to identify the basket, he concludes that it was just a little yellow basket, and not red, brown, or blue.
The song can be interpreted as a tale of innocence, carelessness, and loss. The singer's need for the little yellow basket and his choice of words like "I think that I shall die" portray the depth of his emotions. It emphasizes how little things can mean a lot to someone and how losing them can make them feel distressed. The little girl and her kindness in taking the basket to the market despite not being hers depict an act of kindness and empathy.
Line by Line Meaning
A-Tisket A-Tasket
I am singing about my experience of losing a basket.
A green and yellow basket
The basket was green and yellow in color.
I bought a basket for my mommie
I purchased the basket for my mother.
On the way I dropped it
While I was in transit, I accidentally let go of the basket from my possession.
I dropped it, I dropped it
I affirm the error of having lost the basket twice by repeating it.
Yes on the way I dropped it
I confirm that the basket was dropped while I was on my journey.
A little girlie picked it up
A young girl observed the basket after it fell to the ground.
And took it to the market
The girl carried the basket to a place of trade and exchange that was nearby.
She was truckin' on down the
The girl strode confidently and energetically through the street.
Avenue without a single thing to do
The girl had no specific tasks or activities in her day at that time.
She was peck, peck, peckin' all around
The girl was casually exploring her surroundings while walking towards the market.
When she spied it on the ground
The girl noticed the basket laying on the ground before her.
A-Tisket A-Tasket
I am repeating the name of the song to present a playful tone.
She took my yellow basket
The girl picked up my yellow-colored basket.
And if she doesn't bring it back
If the girl does not return the basket to me,
I think that I shall die
I am exaggerating by stating that not retrieving the basket will be a significant problem.
(Was it red?)
I am sarcastically asking if the basket was a different color than yellow.
(No, no, no, no)
I am denying the possibility that the basket was not yellow.
(Was it brown?)
I am continuing to jokingly ask if the basket was another color.
(No, no, no, no)
Again, I am denying the possibility that the basket was any other color.
(Was it blue)
I am still playfully asking if the basket was a different color.
(No, no, no, no)
Once more, I am denying the possibility that the basket was any other color than yellow.
Just a little yellow basket
In conclusion, the basket that was lost and found was simply a small basket that was yellow in color.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ELLA FITZGERALD, VAN ALEXANDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind