His Rocking Horse Ran Away
Jimmy Van Heusen Lyrics
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Willie's been fed and I've tucked him in bed, thank goodness the darling's asleep
He's a wonderful boy and a joy and a boon
Bang went the bridge lamp, down went the table, crash went the china tray
But he said "I couldn't help it, my rocking horse ran away!"
Rip rip went the curtain, wham went the window, crunch went the new buffet
And I heard him tell his daddy "My rocking horse ran away"
Somehow Indians got into our front room
Our cowboy grabbed for his gun and went boom, boom, boom, boom, boom
Slam went the screen door, smash went the mirror, looks like I'll soon be gray
But he smiles and what's the difference and maybe some Mother's Day
I'll remember when his rocking horse ran away
Got up early this morning, wore a flimsy negligee
Had to hurry to fix the breakfast and get daddy on his way
Figured I could get the paper, so the neighbors wouldn't see
So I sneaked out on the porch, very, very quietly
Wham went the dish pan, then came a holler, up went the neighbor's shade
It was Mother's little darling, out on a commando raid
Came home late from a picture. I was tired, my shoes were tight
Took off my stockings, dropped my girdle
Got undressed and pulled the light. boy!
Slipped into my night gown, then tiptoed across the floor
Better have a look at Junior, so I peeked into his door
Clang, clang, clang went a cowbell, whee went a whistle, I nearly had a stroke
It was mother's precious baby, just havin' his little joke
Always just when I'm breathin' a peaceful sigh
There's G-Men, coppers and robbers and hi-yo silver!
Bam went the book case, boot went the fruit bowl, boom went the glass bouquet
But he smiles and what's the difference and maybe some mother's day
I'll remember when, bang went the lamp, down went the table
Crash went the tray, rip rip went the curtain, wham went a window
Clang went a bell, whee went a whistle, bam went a pan, slam went a door
On that eventful day, when his rocking horse ran away
The lyrics to Jimmy Van Heusen's song His Rocking Horse Ran Away tell the story of a mother's daily struggles and challenges while raising her son, Willie. The song is divided into four verses, each describing a moment of chaos in the house caused by the mischievous and playful antics of her son.
In the first verse, the mother is relieved that Willie is finally asleep and takes a moment to sit down. However, the peace is short-lived as Willie's rocking horse runs away causing a ruckus that includes the breaking of the bridge lamp, table, and china tray. Willie explains that he couldn't help it and the mother accepts the situation with a smile.
In the second verse, the mother tries to get the daily newspaper without being noticed by the neighbors. However, Willie goes on a commando raid, creating more chaos hollering and waking up the neighbors, leaving the mother embarrassed and frustrated.
In the third verse, the mother comes home from a late-night movie, tired and drained. She goes to check on her son, and he surprises her again with his cowbell and whistle, nearly giving her a heart attack.
The final verse highlights that the mother has accepted these moments of chaos and has come to appreciate them, as they have become part of her daily routine. She acknowledges that she will cherish the memories of when Willie's rocking horse ran away and other incidents that may have caused chaos but also brought moments of joy and laughter.
Overall, the song describes the struggles of a mother in a lighthearted and comedic way, highlighting the joys and challenges of parenting.
Line by Line Meaning
I must sit down for a minute, I'm ready to fall in a heap
I need a break, I'm exhausted
Willie's been fed and I've tucked him in bed, thank goodness the darling's asleep
I took care of my child, he's sleeping now
He's a wonderful boy and a joy and a boon
My child is a great blessing
Bang went the bridge lamp, down went the table, crash went the china tray
Objects were broken and shattered
But he said "I couldn't help it, my rocking horse ran away!"
My child made a mistake, but he blamed it on something else
Rip rip went the curtain, wham went the window, crunch went the new buffet
More objects were destroyed
And I heard him tell his daddy "My rocking horse ran away"
My child lied to his father about what happened
Somehow Indians got into our front room
A pretend game was being played
Our cowboy grabbed for his gun and went boom, boom, boom, boom, boom
My child was playing a cowboy and firing his toy gun multiple times
Slam went the screen door, smash went the mirror, looks like I'll soon be gray
More damage was done to the house
But he smiles and what's the difference and maybe some Mother's Day
My child is happy and carefree, and maybe someday I'll look back on this fondly
I'll remember when his rocking horse ran away
I'll always remember this moment
Got up early this morning, wore a flimsy negligee
I woke up early and dressed in a revealing nightgown
Had to hurry to fix the breakfast and get daddy on his way
I had to cook breakfast and send my husband off to work
Figured I could get the paper, so the neighbors wouldn't see
I went to get the newspaper quietly so the neighbors wouldn't see me in my nightgown
So I sneaked out on the porch, very, very quietly
I tried to avoid making any noise
Wham went the dish pan, then came a holler, up went the neighbor's shade
I accidentally made noise and woke up the neighbors
It was Mother's little darling, out on a commando raid
My child was playing a pretend game
Came home late from a picture. I was tired, my shoes were tight
I came home late from the movies, and my feet hurt
Took off my stockings, dropped my girdle
I changed out of my uncomfortable clothes
Got undressed and pulled the light. boy!
I turned off the lights and went to bed
Slipped into my night gown, then tiptoed across the floor
I changed into my nightgown and walked quietly so as to not wake my child
Better have a look at Junior, so I peeked into his door
I checked on my child to make sure he was okay
Clang, clang, clang went a cowbell, whee went a whistle, I nearly had a stroke
My child was playing with noisy toys and almost gave me a heart attack
It was mother's precious baby, just havin' his little joke
My child was playing a prank on me
Always just when I'm breathin' a peaceful sigh
Whenever I relax and think everything's okay
There's G-Men, coppers and robbers and hi-yo silver!
My child starts playing a different pretend game
Bam went the book case, boot went the fruit bowl, boom went the glass bouquet
More objects were destroyed in the house
But he smiles and what's the difference and maybe some mother's day
My child is happy and carefree, and maybe someday I'll look back on this fondly
I'll remember when, bang went the lamp, down went the table
I'll always remember this moment when objects were being destroyed
Crash went the tray, rip rip went the curtain, wham went a window
More destruction happened in the house
Clang went a bell, whee went a whistle, bam went a pan, slam went a door
More noisy toys were being played with
On that eventful day, when his rocking horse ran away
On the day when my child caused chaos in the house
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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Elda Ayala
I love that transition!
Doge Records
Best thing I've heard today
Harold Farthington
Got a copy of this.