The Aba Daba Honeymoon
Kitty Kallen Lyrics

The lyrics to Kitty Kallen's song "Aba Daba Honeymoon" depict a lighthearted, whimsical love story between two primates - a Chimpie and a Monk - who spend their days and nights happily swinging and singing to each other in their own unique language. The repetition of "aba, daba, daba" and "baba, daba, dab" may seem nonsensical at first, but is intended to imitate the sounds of monkey talk and make the song feel playful and carefree.

What's interesting about these lyrics is that they were actually adapted from a popular vaudeville routine by Rafferty and Steele, which featured two performers in monkey suits miming their way through a similar conversation. The songwriters, Arthur Fields and Walter Donovan, heard the routine and decided to turn it into a song, adding the line about the big baboon officiating the wedding as a final punchline. The tune became a hit in 1951, selling over a million copies and earning Kitty Kallen a spot on the charts.

One interpretation of the lyrics is that they reflect the sweet, uncomplicated nature of young love - in this case, between two animals who don't have any of the human hang-ups that can complicate relationships. The song's light-hearted, escapist tone was likely appealing to audiences at the time, who were dealing with the post-war transition back to "normal" life and may have appreciated a chance to momentarily forget their troubles. Overall, "Aba Daba Honeymoon" is a fun, catchy tune that celebrates the joy of simple pleasures and reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously.