Walking the dog
Hans Theessink Lyrics


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Baby, back
Dressed in black
Silver buttons all down her back
High hose, tippy toes
She broke the needle and she can sew
Walking the dog
I′m just a walking the dog
If you don't know how to do it
I′ll show you how to walk the dog
C'mon now c'mon
I asked her mother for fifteen cents
I see you ever jumped the fence
I jumped so high, touched the skies
Didn′t get back ′til a quarter to five
Walking the dog
I'm just a walking the dog
If you don′t know how to do it
I'll show you how to walk the dog
C′mon c'mon now
Tell me Mary, what′s your twelve
How does your garden grow
What with silver bells and cockle shells
And pretty maids all in a row
Walking the dog
I'm just a walking the dog




If you don't know how to do it
I′ll show...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Hans Theessink's song Walking the dog are about a girl dressed in black with silver buttons on her back, high hose, and tippy toes who can sew. She is requested to teach the singer how to walk the dog, which is a reference to a dance step where one person follows the other, much like a dog on a leash. The singer recalls jumping a fence and getting back at a quarter to five. The second half of the song references the nursery rhyme "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary," with the lyrics "Tell me Mary, what's your twelve? How does your garden grow? What with silver bells and cockle shells and pretty maids all in a row."


The song is a catchy, upbeat tune with a playful attitude. The lyrics are filled with colorful imagery and playful language, making it a fun and entertaining song to listen to. It is also a nod to the influential role of black culture on American music, particularly Southern blues music.


Line by Line Meaning

Baby, back
Referring to a woman dressed in black


Dressed in black
The woman is wearing all black clothing


Silver buttons all down her back
The woman has silver buttons running down the back of her dress or shirt


High hose, tippy toes
The woman is wearing high stockings and standing on her tiptoes


She broke the needle and she can sew
The woman is skilled at sewing but has broken a needle


Walking the dog
Referring to a dance move called 'walking the dog'


I'm just a walking the dog
The singer is also performing the dance move


If you don't know how to do it
Offering to teach others how to perform the dance move


I'll show you how to walk the dog
Reiterating the offer to teach others the dance move


C'mon now c'mon
Encouraging others to join in and dance


I asked her mother for fifteen cents
The singer asked the woman's mother for money


I see you ever jumped the fence
Asking if the woman has ever jumped over a fence


I jumped so high, touched the skies
Claiming that he was able to jump very high


Didn't get back 'til a quarter to five
Implies that the singer was out late, possibly with the woman he is referring to


Tell me Mary, what's your twelve
Asking the woman what time it is


How does your garden grow
Asking the woman about her personal life


What with silver bells and cockle shells
Referring to the woman's possessions, possibly jewelry or decorative items


And pretty maids all in a row
Referring to the woman's friends or acquaintances


I'm just a walking the dog
Repeating the chorus


If you don't know how to do it
Reiterating the offer to teach others the dance move


I'll show you how to walk the dog
Repeating the offer to teach others the dance move


C'mon c'mon now
Encouraging others to join in and dance




Writer(s): Rufus Thomas

Contributed by Keira I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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