Tic Tic Tic
Robert Mitchum Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

What a confusion
A fellow lost his watch in the railroad station
What a confusion
A fellow lost his watch in the railroad station

A sagga girl named Dimelda
Was suspected of being a burglar
She had no purse, no pocket in her clothes
But where she hid the watch, only goodness knows

And they were hearing

Tic, tic, tic, everybody looking
Tic, tic, tic, seeing how they're searching
Tic, tic, tic, that's all they're hearing
But they couldn't find out where the watch was hiding

Under suspicion
They took her down to the police station
And sent for the matron
Who examined all the clothes that she had on

The matron examined with care
She even make her pull down her long hair
She searched and she couldn't search no more
But the watch was ticking louder than before

And they're hearing

Tic, tic, tic, everybody looking
Tic, tic, tic, seeing how they're searching
Tic, tic, tic, that's all they're hearing
But they couldn't find out where the watch was hiding

The matron hit on an idea
That she could find the watch around somewhere
She said she had an incentive
She could find the watch if given privilege

To divest Dimelda entirely
And search her as if she was crazy
The search was such, so they decide
That the matron turn Dimelda's inside outside

I'm hearing

Tic, tic, tic, everybody looking
Tic, tic, tic, seeing how they're searching
Tic, tic, tic, that's all they're hearing
But they couldn't find out where the watch was hiding

Confusion now in the station
They made the searching by inspiration
The watch ticking louder and louder
And the matron moving up closer

The matron is convinced, there's no doubt
She push her hand up inside Dimelda's mouth
And do you know, her idea came true
When she found the watch, it was ten to two

Tic, tic, tic, everybody looking
Tic, tic, tic, seeing how they're searching




Tic, tic, tic, that's all they're hearing
But they couldn't find out where the watch was hiding

Overall Meaning

The song "Tic Tic Tic" tells the story of a man who loses his watch at a railroad station and a woman named Dimelda who is suspected of stealing it. Despite the fact that Dimelda has no purse or pockets in her clothes, the sound of the ticking watch can be heard but the watch cannot be located. The matron is called in to search Dimelda and she goes to great lengths to find the watch, including searching inside Dimelda's mouth. Eventually, the watch is found and it is revealed that Dimelda had hidden the watch in her mouth all along.


The lyrics of the song highlight themes of confusion and suspicion as the search for the missing watch takes place. The story also raises questions about the lengths people will go to in order to find the truth and the importance of perseverance in solving a mystery. The repetitive sound of the ticking watch creates a sense of urgency and tension, adding to the overall atmosphere of the song.


Line by Line Meaning

What a confusion
The situation at the railroad station was chaotic


A fellow lost his watch in the railroad station
Someone lost their watch in the railroad station


A sagga girl named Dimelda
The name of the girl suspected of stealing the watch was Dimelda


Was suspected of being a burglar
They believed Dimelda was responsible for the loss of the watch


She had no purse, no pocket in her clothes
Dimelda had nothing on her person that would indicate where the watch was


But where she hid the watch, only goodness knows
It was unclear where Dimelda was hiding the watch


Tic, tic, tic, everybody looking
The ticking of the watch was causing everyone to search


Tic, tic, tic, seeing how they're searching
People were searching in response to the ticking of the watch


Tic, tic, tic, that's all they're hearing
The only sound anyone could hear was the ticking of the watch


But they couldn't find out where the watch was hiding
Despite their efforts, they were unable to locate the watch


Under suspicion
Dimelda was a suspect


They took her down to the police station
Dimelda was brought to the police station


And sent for the matron
The matron was called in to conduct a search


Who examined all the clothes that she had on
The matron searched Dimelda's clothing


The matron examined with care
The matron searched thoroughly


She even make her pull down her long hair
Dimelda was asked to remove her hair from the equation


She searched and she couldn't search no more
The matron exhausted all options


But the watch was ticking louder than before
The ticking of the watch became more noticeable


The matron hit on an idea
The matron came up with a plan


That she could find the watch around somewhere
She believed the watch was still in the vicinity


She said she had an incentive
The matron thought she had an edge


She could find the watch if given privilege
With permission, the matron could find the watch


To divest Dimelda entirely
The matron wanted to search her without obstacles


And search her as if she was crazy
The search was extensive and thorough


The search was such, so they decide
The search was so meticulous that a decision was made


That the matron turn Dimelda's inside outside
The matron searched every crevice of Dimelda's body


Confusion now in the station
The situation became more chaotic


They made the searching by inspiration
Everyone was desperately searching for the watch


The watch ticking louder and louder
The ticking became louder as the search continued


And the matron moving up closer
The matron became more determined to find the watch


The matron is convinced, there's no doubt
The matron was sure that the watch was on Dimelda


She push her hand up inside Dimelda's mouth
The matron searched every possible area


And do you know, her idea came true
The matron's plan worked


When she found the watch, it was ten to two
The watch was found inside Dimelda's body




Contributed by Thomas C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@miguelcorro1

WAOOO ROBERT SINGS VERY GOOD!!!! TALENT!!!!!

@rolandoscott7156

This is amazing! I didn't realize that Robert Mitchum dedicated himself to learn to sing calypso with perfect tone and rhythm. I am very impressed. This is a wonderful find and surprise.

@72691000

Amusant et rythmé!

@billkates6938

WOW! These lyrics are hilarious!

@vladimirsakhaline2828

De l'autre côté du lit, quelqu'un ?

@woiowoiow190

Haha same

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