Tell Me a Story
Frankie Laine & Jimmy Boyd Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Tell me story, tell me story
Tell me story, remember what you said
You promised me you said you would
You got to give in so I'll be good
Tell me a story, then I'll go to bed

Oh, worry, worry, weary ends my day
Time to go home without my raise in pay

Home by the fire where a man can just relax
Sippers there by the chair, not a worry, not a care
Along comes Junior swinging his little axe

Tell me a story, tell me a story
Tell me a story, remember what you said
Tell me about the birds and bees
How do you make a chicken sneeze
Tell me a story, then I'll go to bed

Came home so late one evening last July
Played a little poker the time had passed me by
Shoes in my hand and my darlin' wife in bed
Up the stairs sayin' a prayer
Then a voice comes through the air

Hi you there, Daddy
Remember what you said
Tell me a story, tell me a story
Tell me a story, remember what you said
Tell me how your eye got black
Because the doorway hit you back
Tell me a story, then I'll go to bed

Once upon a time I remember long ago

Don't go back in history your memory's kinda slow

Stop your noisy talkin' until I finish with my tale
Once upon a

Upon a what

Upon your back you'll get a swat

Tell me about the fish you caught
That's was bigger than a whale

Tell me a story, tell me a story
Tell me a story, remember what you said
You promised me, you said you would
You gotta give in so I'll be good

Here

Overall Meaning

, the lyrics are from the perspective of a child asking their parent or guardian to tell them a bedtime story. The child wants to be entertained before going to sleep and is insistent on the adult keeping their promise to tell them a story. The lyrics are light-hearted and humorous, with the child asking for stories about typical childhood topics such as birds, bees, and chickens.

However, the lyrics also touch on deeper themes such as the mundanity of adult life and the desire for escape. The line "Home by the fire where a man can just relax" implies that the singer is tired and wants to unwind after a long day of work. The story represents a form of escapism for both the child and adult, with the child wanting to distract themselves from the realities of life and the adult longing for a break from the monotony of adulthood.

Overall, the song highlights the importance of storytelling as a form of human connection and a way to find joy in the everyday. The child's insistence on being told a story, and the adult's willingness to comply, reflects the ways in which storytelling has been a universal aspect of human culture throughout history.

Line by Line Meaning

Tell me story, tell me story
Please share a story with me

Tell me story, remember what you said
Please keep your promise and tell me a story

You promised me you said you would
You made a promise

You got to give in so I'll be good
Please give in and tell me a story so I'll behave

Tell me a story, then I'll go to bed
If you tell me a story, I'll go to bed

Oh, worry, worry, weary ends my day
I'm tired and worried

Time to go home without my raise in pay
I'm not getting paid more

Home by the fire where a man can just relax
I can relax by the fire

Sippers there by the chair, not a worry, not a care
I can relax with my drink

Along comes Junior swinging his little axe
My child comes along with a toy axe

Tell me about the birds and bees
Please teach me about reproduction

How do you make a chicken sneeze
I want to know how to make a chicken sneeze

Came home so late one evening last July
I came home late one evening

Played a little poker the time had passed me by
I played some poker and lost track of time

Shoes in my hand and my darling' wife in bed
My wife is asleep and I'm holding shoes

Up the stairs sayin' a prayer
I go up the stairs and say a prayer

Then a voice comes through the air
I hear a voice

Hi you there, Daddy
My child greets me

Remember what you said
Please keep your promise

Tell me how your eye got black
Please tell me how you got hurt

Because the doorway hit you back
The doorway hit you and caused the injury

Once upon a time I remember long ago
I remember a story a long time ago

Don't go back in history your memory's kinda slow
Please don't dwell on the past

Stop your noisy talkin' until I finish with my tale
Please be quiet while I finish my story

Once upon a
The beginning of a story

Upon a what
Asking for the rest of the story

Upon your back you'll get a swat
I'll give you a spanking

Tell me about the fish you caught
Please share a story about catching a fish

That's was bigger than a whale
The fish was very large

You promised me, you said you would
You made a promise

You gotta give in so I'll be good
Please give in and tell me a story so I'll behave

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TERRY GILKYSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@tricky3209

1y↑12

My Grandpa would sing this song while bouncing me on his knee when we would visit growing up. He has Alzheimer's now and I was trying to remember the words to this song but was afraid they had been lost to time as I thought he had made it up. He would even do the voices of each singer, they're some of my most precious memories of growing up. Thank you for the video

@mrsbmurray7402

39w↑2

Me too, well almost. My dad was an amazing singer, (choirs,family choir/band etc. Tues nyts, after The Red Skeleton Show he would sing the chorus to me “before I went to bed” During his final years w Alzheimer’s I would phone him every nyt and we would harmonize together his fav hymn, then I’d sing to him my good nyt song. I had always wondered where he heard this chorus, now I know! Oh how blessed I am as he breathed his last here on earth 14 Feb 2020.

@massey11138

37w↑1

My grandad used to do the exact the same thing just one of many lasting memories.

@carolblume5073

16w↑1

Me too. I thought my dad had made it up. Surprised to find out my youngest daughter remembers him singing it to her too. Many years ago, of course as he has passed, and she is grown. But the memory remains.

@brendafisher5549

3y↑6

This just popped up in my memory. I was so happy to find it and play it for my 8 year old great granddaughter. She loved it!

@CamrynManson

1y↑3

This song is just absolutely magical and adorable.

@CamrynManson

I'm 33 and I play this for my 6 year old. He loves it. Timeless.

@CamrynManson

Wow same exact ages over here lol my son sings along it's so cute

@lindarussell9651

10y↑38

My Dad sang this to me when I was little, in England. I wanted to sing it to my grandson, but couldn't remember all the words. I was so happy to find it on Youtube! So thank you for posting it!

@markalson1938

10y↑4

Your very welcome, I sang this song to my kids when they were young also, but i couldn't do the song justiceI just wish I could sing

@lindarussell9651

10y↑7

I don't think it matters whether you can 'sing' or not. I bet your kids loved it anyway!

@theresemurphy5404

7y↑4

Me too mum used to sing it to me now I'm here with the granddaughter Katie listening to the song 💖.

@mrsbmurray7402

39w

Oh the flood of memories this gave me. My dad sang this to me back in the Red Skeleton Show days (60’s) as that was our Tues nyt routine when I was preschool. Thank you for posting it.

@kevinp2722

3y↑3

I heard this once on the radio as a 12 year old - around 1991. I never forgot it and here I am now, a grown man listening to it for just the second time in my life

@latishacummings2678

4y↑2

My grandma use to sing this to me before bed. She added some extra stories. 🥰

@caroljeanscott5571

26w

I used to listen to that record as a child. I am now in my 70's and I still enjoy listening to it.

@LaraineAnne

10y↑16

I was 8 when this was a hit. For some time now I've been meaning to look up when it came out. Thanks for letting me hear it again. There's no doubt about it: the 50s was the best decade for pop songs (though I remember some good ones from the 40s too). My sisters and I used to write down the weekly "hit parade" in a notebook. Then we'd make guesses as to what would be No. 1 in the top 100 at then end of the year. Great fun! :-)

@lenmaloney9023

42w

My favourite song loved it ❤️

@hhhguy2004

11y↑4

Thank you for bring back one of my favorite childhood song. My father said I would wear out the record by playing it too much.

@BuckshotLaFunke1

11y↑1

Wow, I was 7 then. I just read a line by British thriller author Dick Francis: 'Tell me a story and tell it strong and quick', and suddenly I remembered the song, after more than 50 years. Thanks for uploading!

@redhatpat9387

One of my all-time childhood favorites, and very hard to find. I think I must have driven my mom "mad" with the number of times in a row I played this!!!

@ylmazece2252

12 years later the song is still beautiful

@247gina

43w

My grandad used to sing this to me and now I’m singing it to my children🥺

@Romans10.9-13

I remember my Grammy singing this to my little sister when she was a baby (I was 5-6 then, now I'm 21).
I love you Grammy! 💜💚

@peggybailey8333

5y↑6

We had the 33 of this song growing up. I loved it. Still do. Of course it's missing the white noise that the old record and player made :)

@susanwillows8280

10y↑5

This was my favourite song when I was young. I took the 78 to school in grade 4 and my teacher, Miss Adams, wasn't very impressed with the words. After I'd been married for awhile, I found out that it had been my husband's favourite song when he was young too.

@hareshprahlad6900

6y↑3

Thank you for posting this song. The song took me back to the fifties when I used to listen to the song almost daily on a gramophone record.

@MilSepic60

13y

Thanks markalson. Funny how these little bits of personal history have far more common bond than you thought. To me childhood songs always bring back my parents for me, their music, themselves as individuals and what their lives were like back in the '50's. Someday I'll put together a mix CD of my parents favourites. Frankie Laine was a great singer with a sense of humour, he does the theme song for Blazing Saddles which is a great parody of all epic western songs he did. Thanks again.

@markalson1938

11y

A lot of people played it over and over again in 1953 as it was a very big hit

@leslie2149

I had this on a 78 back when I was a child. I've always loved this song. Thank-you for posting this.

@tonyfrancesco3701

6y↑5

Lord how I miss those who played this song so many years ago. We come and we go,like the wind.

@carolynurania4922

5y↑1

Yes. Hard to believe Jimmy Boyd has been gone ten years.

@lorrainecollier8329

12y

I remember hearing this one as a little kid and now I share it with my own kids

@markalson1938

15y↑23

When you reach a certain age, the most valuable thing you have are your memories.

@alanhfrank

15y↑2

My first record (78 rpm). Still love it.

@fromthesidelines

14y

Terry Gilkyson composed this one (and Mitch Miller KNEW how to assemble and package hit "novelty" songs like this when he was A&R chief at Columbia during the '50s); the "cover" version that came closest to the original was the "Children's Record Guild Of America" release, featuring Pat Ello and Jeff Clark, who sang it with even more enthusiasm.

@5oldsongs1

12y↑1

I love these old songs and when I was little I played them for hours.

@dgharris91

4y↑1

My mum used to sing this to me, and I sang it all my life, now I find out what I was singing was the 1st half of the 1st verse and the second half of the second verse and the chorus. Often wondered why he had to sneak up the stairs after work, now I know he didn't.

@sheiladootson7162

10y↑6

My late brother use to sing this to us brings back memories of him

@Barba_Fett

5y↑1

Ty for posting this my Mom sang it to me as a lulaby when I was a kid. Never new it was a recorded song til I was looking for the lyrics and found it on here. So many memories for me and now my daughter.

@mrmoofle

My 5th grade teacher had this record. It used to make me laugh so hard. RIP, Mr Goss.

@gabe_s_videos

6y↑1

My family heard this while we were out at one of those restaurants that plays all oldies music on their radio.None of us had ever heard it before and when we all started acknowledging it, we collectively realized "Hey, this song is REALLY annoying."

@duncanmcgregor6876

4y↑1

used to listen to this being played on a big old wind up gramaphone that sat in the corner of my young friend Gavin's house - we were about 8 and 10 at that time and used to play it over and over - they hadn't got electricity laid on at their farm in those days and all our entertainment was made up games - cowboys an crooks and stuff like that - this song has brought back timeless memories of a very happy childhood - thanks all

@debrahjaeckel5242

8y↑3

my dad used to sing this to us when we were little and I always wondered about it. yes we got a story or 2 every night before we went to bed.

@lauramarzz2220

7y↑24

THIS ONE WAS IN MY GRANDMOTHER'S RECORD COLLECTION , AND WE WOULD ALWAYS PLAY IT AT OUR HOUSE AT CHRISTMAS TIME . THERE WAS NO MENTION OF CHRISTMAS IN THE SONG , AND YET WE PLAYED IT ANYWAY . THANX FOR UP LOADING AND POSTING IT . = MARZZY

@bethanystandrew6767

It is so cool to have found this song. It was on an album Pinocchio and other Stories I had when I was six. I had measles and was home sick for 2 weeks.i nearly wore out the album and to this day I remember every word of this song and a song abt 2 Chinese kids named K and the brave strong son whose name was Sticky-sticky-stembo-no-siryembo-harry-barry-bushkey-idhmanyembo-hey+perry-

@patrickfleming3658

4y↑1

Still love it even at 75

@smr61754

12y

My mom had this song on a 45 rpm....at least I THINK it was a 45. I used to listen to it when I was a kid and loved it!

@seanjustinbarlow3377

8y↑14

THIS SONG WAS SHOWEN TO ME BY MY NANA
THIS SONG ALWAYS LETS ME KNOW THAT NANA LOVES ME :)

@arlenesmolanoff5516

Love this song

@barrygioportmorien1

13y

Great old tune, hadn't heard it for awhile.

@damohillman

12y

Remember singing this with my sister and Dad when we were little.

@infidelxsquared9596

10y

Just played this in the gym. 1:30am no one else here and its projected on the big TV from the computer. My mum used to sing this to me when I was a kid. Many tears in the Military presses I just did, teary eyed indeed.

@bronlinz6057

11y

Thankyou, I have been trying to find this song since I was little and a friend had it on record. Never knew who sang it or anything other than the chorus

@ryknroller1

11y

I had this on a 45 record and played it over and over and over again.

@Justa1SBG

By any chance, was the color red or perhaps even yellow? I believe our copy was red...

@hannahsheehan2861

12y↑1

this was my baby sister favourite song who lost her life with cancer i was listening to this osng when i got told she had passed on miss u so much gorgeous girl :'(

@aussisbloke

14y

Gee that brings back some very good memories of the old days we used to sing it all the time, that is what you call music. Not like today

@aussisbloke

14y

Gee that brings back some good old memories of the old days love the song

@yokoonoII

My nan used to sing this to me when I was little 😭

@lizkozlowski9358

My mom used to sing to me when I was little I remember just these words though "tell me a story,tell me a story ,tell me a story than I ll go to bed you told me you said you would you got to give in and I ll be good tell me a story than I ll go to bed" those were the only words she sang I miss those days wish I can go back in time and just stay there such sweet memories

@5oldsongs1

12y

This came out in 1953 and I was 8 yrs. old. I believe he was on the Arthur Godfrey show once. I, also, loved Playmate and I saw MaMa kissing Santa Claus. I wore out the records playing them.

@glennhudson9150

Glenn Hudson This sends me back in time to 1958 when I was 4 yrs. old and listen to it on mom's suitcase style record player . Then later it would be on my grandmother's crank grammaphone . Good clean music

@innowra

13y

A friend mentioned a memory of hearing an old song when we were kids at my house 40yrs ago. when she said "tell me a story" it all came back, I can still remember and sing every word, dont know what happened to the old grammaphone we used to listen to it on. Will have to get a recording so I can play it to the grandkids...when i get some

@rachel.258

7y↑8

my granddad would sing this to me when i was young. he just passed away this morning

@jenniferblake696

6y↑2

My sympathy to you, blessings

@janhotz9039

6y↑3

Rachel LaFrance ~I am sorry for your lost, Rachel. I'm almost 64 years old, and my memories of my grandparents are more precious than ever. So hold on to yours, and be sure to pass them on if and when you get the chance~bless you, dear.

@saddleup_andride4415

6y↑1

Sorry for your loss :(

@Acme633

I sang the first line of this song aloud when I was a kid to make my parents tell me a story. Jimmy Boyd certainly sounded like a small child but he was 14 when this was released?

@entity909

14y

i remember playing this on the old dansette record player,bring,s back memories. tnx

@TomBarrister

11y

This was released on a 78 in 1953. The flip side was "I Believe," by Frankie Laine.

@kingelder2

My grannie used to sing this to me when I was younger

@JonJll

I had a little 45 pf this!. Played this tune on a Victrola when I was a wee tot! Amazing what google can recall for ya!

@Shadow74342

8y↑33

ROFL - Used to listen to this on an old 78 record player - thank goodness for you tube!

@juniormalungo5656

HOW IS THIS A STORY I SAID A STORY HELLO DO YOU KNOW WHAT A STORY

@juniormalungo5656

THIS IS A SONG AND FIRST OF ALL I HATE THIS SONG SO...... THE
PERSON WHO MADE THIS SONG IN LIKE 2030 OR WHATEVER IS BAD AT
THIS SONG

@juniormalungo5656

@vaughntonkin539

I have the Philips 78 pressings

@russellwayne7154

god what memories

@ld5539

Wow I haven’t heard this song in like 7 years

@mkatherineeagan7007

Hahah, I just started singing this song out of the blue lol

@michellegillam427

7y↑1

My father sang it to me never told a story tho

@ChatoonsChannel

11y↑1

I plan on animating to this song one day. It's such a great song. Prefer to listen to this 100 times than one Justin Bieber song any day.

@MilSepic60

13y

Thanks markalson1938. I just mentioned this song to my uncle in an email and how my mom used to sing this when I was so young. Do you know anyplace that has the lyrics for it?

@simeonmark2950

Interesting and family oriented

@michellegillam427

Great Song

@katesgram

11y

But I wasn't even born until 56 and I also played it over and over.....lol

@tinazahavi

12y

Thanks for putting this on. Happy memories. aaaaaah

@carlredmond676

5y↑1

Never thought I'd hear that song again

@kyliegreen4712

My grandparents sing this song to me

@AZmom60

We had this on a 78 when I was a kid.

@Starladymarilyn

My uncle Jimmy used to sing this to me

@markalson1938

14y↑7

Though I didn't personnely have it so good, I still think the fifties t was the best of times to grow up in the States. I don't remember anyone talking about being bord. We may have smoked but I knew nothing of drugs. I also lived in a city where you could walk down the street at night with out fear.

@francesedwards5638

I agree

@suzi5684

8y↑3

anybody remember this one? I came home singing about the time he caught a fish that was bigger than a whale hahaha and just HAD to see if it was on google!

@culmalachie

6y↑4

Had an earworm this afternoon and just HAD to google it here. All I knew was "tell me a story " with the kiddie voice.! Now I know it many thanks - It's been a Loooong time! LOL

@laurabrown551

10y↑4

Aww ma wee granny used to sing this to me and my brother <3

@RodTheo2000

7y↑1

Laura Brown

@capricorn1255

12y↑1

l still have the 78 that my Dad gave me but it can't be played as it is cracked but holds memories...so can't throw it out. ☺

@vaughntonkin539

A cracked record usually can be played, a loud repeating tick will be heard

@markalson1938

11y↑3

I'm afraid that you are wrong, the flip side of "Tell Me A Story" was "The Little Boy And The Old Man" also with Jimmy Boyd. The flip side to "I Believe" was "Your Cheaten' Heart" both done in 1953.

@peterdutch

My parents had this on a 78 rpm.

@greekjackgizmo1

15y

Another memory song of childhood guess thats whats you do when you get older Gary p

@nicolemccloskey

11y

Oh, worry, worry, weary ends my day Time to go home without my raise in pay Home by the fire where a man can just relax Sippers there by the chair, not a worry, not a care Along comes Junior swinging his little axe

@djdavemick

13y

Not quite a one-hit wonder. This top 5 hit proves it.

@jbsMUWcreations2089

23w↑1

Jesus Christ This song is 70 years ago!

@bigfoot3108

Yep old music, BUT great!!

@saddleup_andride4415

6y↑4

My grandad told me a story..About his fav song THIS IT XD he said it wouldnt be here cuz its 1950's
XDDD

@nicolemccloskey

11y

[Father:] Came home so late one evening last July Played a little poker the time had passed me by Shoes in my hand and my darlin' wife in bed Up the stairs sayin' a prayer Then a voice comes through the air ....

@cierakitty

I barely remember this from my cousin at her house. My where the time has gone (sigh)

@briantimmons3044

The first two Frankie Laine songs were with Jimmy Boyd were this and The Old and The Sea

@TomBarrister

11y

Things get jumbled when they happen 50 years ago. Thanks for clearing that up.

@markalson1938

13y↑2

@MilSepic60 To get the lyrics for this song go on Google and just type in "Tell Me A Story" and a site will be shown that has the lyrics to the song. You can do this for most songs.

@christopherjudge1138

I heard that song on 101.3 FM, WJIB on my
Ipod this afternoon, and, I gotta.say, it's RIDICULOUS,
CRAZY, INSANE and PREPOSTEROUS!!
😣😣😣😣😣😣😣😣😣😣😣😣😣😣😣😣😣😣😣😣

@nicolemccloskey

11y

[Junior:] Tell me a story, tell me a story Tell me a story, remember what you said Tell me about the birds and bees How do you make a chicken sneeze Tell me a story, then I'll go to bed

@nicolemccloskey

11y

[Junior:] Tell me story, tell me story Tell me story, remember what you said You promised me you said you would You got to give in so I'll be good Tell me a story, then I'll go to bed

@markalson1938

13y

@speedyandazza it;s great to have memories like this

@carlredmond676

I've been looking for it everywhere

@shandfan

Oh yes.....I wish...I'd know MORE titles of the 50s songs.I know all of them,except for their titles.The most annoying breaking point here!!What to do about this in future?

@Mixchur

Tornadoes of 1953 documentary
brought me here!
Anybody else?

@markalson1938

11y

I get e-mails all the time from people that swear that they remember recordings by Frankie that never were. They get it confused with other singers of the time. The same with time line of recordings a what was paired up with what. They only way I can remember what came where is that I have them all listed on my lainefan web site. At my age there is just to much to keep all in my head.

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