Tingalayo
Sharon Lois & Bram Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Run m’ little donkey, run
Tingalayo!
Run m’ little donkey, run
CHORUS:
Run m’ little donkey, run
Tingalayo!
Well, my donkey eat
Me donkey sleep
My donkey kick me with his two hind feet
Donkey short,
Donkey wide,
Don’t get too close to his backside!
CHORUS
Well, my donkey walk
My donkey prance
But most of all he loves to dance!
Donkey talk
Donkey sing
Donkey do most anything!
CHORUS
I go out to play
My neighbor she say
Take your friends and you go away
I say it’s true
You belong in the zoo
‘cause all of the monkeys look like you!
CHORUS
You can sing it slow
You can sing it fast
You can sing it sittin’ on the grass
You can sing it slow
You can sing it fast
You can sing it sittin’ on the grass
CHORUS (2x)
Tingalayo is a fun and upbeat children's song that features a catchy chorus that encourages a little donkey to run. The song is sung from the perspective of the donkey's owner and is full of playful and light-hearted lyrics. The song starts with the title phrase "tingalayo" which is a made-up word that seems to be used as a motivator for the donkey to run. The first verse describes the donkey's actions which include eating, sleeping, and sometimes kicking his owner with his hind feet. The second half of the verse also warns to not get too close to the donkey's backside, suggesting that the donkey might be a bit unpredictable at times.
Line by Line Meaning
Tingalayo!
Calling out to the donkey to start running
Run m’ little donkey, run
Encouraging the donkey to run
CHORUS:
Run m’ little donkey, run
Tingalayo!
Run m’ little donkey, run
Repeating the call to the donkey to run
Well, my donkey eat
Me donkey sleep
My donkey kick me with his two hind feet
Donkey short,
Donkey wide,
Don’t get too close to his backside!
Describing the donkey's behavior and warning to stay away from his hind end
Well, my donkey walk
My donkey prance
But most of all he loves to dance!
Donkey talk
Donkey sing
Donkey do most anything!
Describing the donkey's various actions and talents
I go out to play
My neighbor she say
Take your friends and you go away
I say it’s true
You belong in the zoo
‘cause all of the monkeys look like you!
Narrating an encounter with a neighbor and making a playful insult
You can sing it slow
You can sing it fast
You can sing it sittin’ on the grass
You can sing it slow
You can sing it fast
You can sing it sittin’ on the grass
Encouraging different ways to enjoy singing the song
CHORUS (2x)
Repeating the call to the donkey to run, ending the song
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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