I Have A Song To Sing O!
Peter Paul & Mary Lyrics


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I have a song to sing, O
(Sing me your song, O)
It is sung to the moon by a love-lorn loon
Who fled from the mocking throng-o

It's the song of a merry man moping mum
Whose soul was sad and his glance was glum
Who sipped no sup and who craved no crumb
As he sighed for the love of a lady

Hey-di, hey-di, misery me, lack-a-day-de
He sipped no sup and he craved no crumb
As he sighed for the love of a lady

I have a song to sing, O
(What is your song, O?)
It is sung with the ring of the songs maids sing
Who loved with a love life-long-o
It's a song of a merry maid pearly proud
Who loved a Lord and who laughed aloud

At the moan of the merry man moping mum
Whose soul was sad and his glance was glum
Who sipped no sup and who craved no crumb
As he sighed for the love of a lady

Hey-di, hey-di, misery me, lack-a-day-de
He sipped no sup and he craved no crumb
As he sighed for the love of a lady

I have a song to sing, O
(Sing me your song, O)
It is sung to the knell of a church-yard bell
And a doleful dirge ding-dong O

It's a song of a popinjay bravely born
Who turned up his noble nose with scorn
At the humble merry maid pearly proud
Who loved a Lord and who laughed aloud

At the moan of a merry man moping mum
Whose soul was sad and whose glance was glum
Who sipped no sup and who craved no crumb
As he sighed for the love of a lady

Hey-di, hey-di, misery me, lack-a-day-de
He sipped no sup and he craved no crumb
As he sighed for the love of a lady

I have a song to sing, O (I have a song to sing, O)
I have a song to sing, O

It is sung with a sigh and a tear in the eye
For it tells of a righted wrong-o
It's a song of the merry maid once so gay
Who turned on her heel and tripped away

From the peacock popinjay bravely born
Who turned up his noble nose with scorn
At the humble heart that he did not prize
So she begged on her knees with downcast eyes

For the love of the merry man moping mum
Whose soul was sad and his glance was glum
Who sipped no sup and who craved no crumb
As he sighed for the love of a lady

Hey-di, hey-di, misery me, lack-a-day-de
His pains were o'er and he sighed no more
For he lived in the love of a lady

Hey-di, hey-di




His pains were o'er and he sighed no more
For he lived in the love of a lady

Overall Meaning

The song "I Have A Song To Sing O!" by Peter, Paul and Mary is a playful and whimsical song that tells the story of a merry man and a merry maid. The song is sung by a group of friends who are discussing which song they should sing next. One of the friends claims to have a song to sing and proceeds to sing a series of verses that tell the tale of the merry man who is in love with a lady, and the merry maid who is loved by a Lord.


The first verse introduces the song and describes it as being "sung to the moon by a love-lorn loon, who fled from the mocking throng." The verse sets the whimsical and playful tone for the rest of the song. The second and third verses describe the merry man and the merry maid respectively, and how they are connected by their unrequited love for their respective objects of affection.


The fourth verse takes a darker turn as it describes the popinjay, a conceited and arrogant aristocrat who looks down on the humble merry maid. The verse contrasts his behavior with that of the merry maid, who is described as laughing aloud despite the popinjay's disdain. The final verse brings the story to a happy conclusion, as the merry maid begs for the love of the merry man and they end up living happily ever after.


Overall, the song is a fun and lighthearted romp that tells a sweet and simple love story with a happy ending.


Line by Line Meaning

I have a song to sing, O
I have a story to tell, O


(Sing me your song, O)
(Please share it with me, O)


It is sung to the moon by a love-lorn loon
It's a song about a lovestruck bird singing to the moon


Who fled from the mocking throng-o
Who ran away from those who made fun of his love


It's the song of a merry man moping mum
It's a song of a happy-go-lucky person who is sad and quiet


Whose soul was sad and his glance was glum
Who was emotionally distressed


Who sipped no sup and who craved no crumb
Who had no appetite


As he sighed for the love of a lady
As he longed for a woman's love


Hey-di, hey-di, misery me, lack-a-day-de
Expressions of sorrow


It is sung with the ring of the songs maids sing
It's a song in the style of what women sing


Who loved with a love life-long-o
About lovers who loved each other for a long time


It's a song of a merry maid pearly proud
It's a song about a joyful girl who is proud of herself


Who loved a Lord and who laughed aloud
Who loved a man of high rank and laughed happily


It's a song of a popinjay bravely born
It's about a conceited person born into wealth and status


Who turned up his noble nose with scorn
Who looked down on others with contempt


At the humble merry maid pearly proud
The conceited person looked down on the happy girl


It's a song with a sigh and a tear in the eye
It's a sad song accompanied by tears and sighs


For it tells of a righted wrong-o
For it tells of an injustice that was corrected


It's a song of the merry maid once so gay
It's a song of a happy girl who was once joyful and carefree


Who turned on her heel and tripped away
Who left with confidence and grace


From the peacock popinjay bravely born
From the conceited person born into wealth and status


Who turned up his noble nose with scorn
Who looked down on others with contempt


For the love of the merry man moping mum
She left for the sake of the sad, quiet man who longed for her love


Whose soul was sad and his glance was glum
Who was emotionally distressed


Who sipped no sup and who craved no crumb
Who had no appetite


As he sighed for the love of a lady
As he longed for a woman's love


Hey-di, hey-di, misery me, lack-a-day-de
Expressions of sorrow


His pains were o'er and he sighed no more
The man's suffering ended and he stopped longing


For he lived in the love of a lady
Because he was loved by the woman he longed for




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Peter Yarrow, Mary Travers, Milton Okun, Noel Stookey, Arthur Sullivan, William Gilbert

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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