Foul Owl On The Prowl
The Little Willies Lyrics
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Hey, little lark, get outta the dark,
Foul owl on the prowl.
Hey little jay, stay out of his way,
Foul owl on the prowl.
You just might be the quail he'll tail,
Foul owl on the prowl.
Foul owl on the prowl.
If you hear him hoot, scoot,
If you pass his tree, flee,
If you catch his eye, fly,
Don't wait to say goodbye.
He's got a yen for a purty little hen,
Foul owl on the prowl.
He's hungry for a chick, so get home quick,
Foul owl on the prowl.
If you hear him hoot, scoot,
If you pass his tree, flee,
If you catch his eye, fly,
Don't wait to say goodbye.
He's got a yen for a purty little hen,
Foul owl on the prowl.
He's hungry for a chick, so get home quick,
Foul owl on the prowl.
Foul owl on the prowl.
Foul owl on the prowl.
Foul owl on the prowl.
Foul owl on the prowl.
Foul owl on the prowl.
The Little Willies's song "Foul Owl On The Prowl" is a cautionary tale about the danger lurking in the darkness. The titular owl is a predator on the hunt, and the lyrics warn various birds to stay out of his way, lest they become his prey. The lyrical description of the owl's actions as hunting for a "purty little hen" and being "hungry for a chick" paints a vivid, menacing picture of the bird's intent. The repeated chorus of "Foul owl on the prowl" only reinforces the sense of danger and unease. The use of the owl as a metaphor for a predator, and the innocent birds as its potential victims, is an effective way to convey the message of the song.
The song's simple, catchy melody and sing-along chorus belie its darker message, which could be interpreted as a warning about the dangers of the night or even about predatory behavior in human relationships. The strength of this interpretation is that the song's lyrics could apply to almost any situation involving a predator and its prey. Despite its concise length, "Foul Owl On The Prowl" is a well-crafted cautionary tale that operates on multiple levels.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a foul owl on the prowl tonight.
A dangerous and predatory owl is out hunting for prey.
Hey, little lark, get outta the dark
Warning to small birds to avoid the owl by staying out of the darkness.
Hey little jay, stay out of his way
Small birds should not cross paths with the owl to avoid being hunted.
You just might be the quail he'll tail
The owl may stalk and hunt any small bird, such as quail.
You just might be the swallow he'll follow
Swallows may also be targeted by the owl who is on the prowl.
If you hear him hoot, scoot
In case the owl is heard hooting, it is best for prey to quickly flee the area.
If you pass his tree, flee
If the owl is spotted nearby or its nesting tree is seen, one should quickly run away to avoid being hunted.
If you catch his eye, fly
If one makes eye contact with the owl, it is best to fly away to safety.
Don't wait to say goodbye.
Prey should not hesitate in escaping the owl's potential attack.
He's got a yen for a purty little hen
The owl is particularly interested in hunting attractive female birds.
He's hungry for a chick, so get home quick
The owl is motivated to hunt by its hunger and will aggressively pursue young birds, so it is best for them to return home quickly.
Foul owl on the prowl.
Repeating the phrase emphasizes the warning about the dangerous owl who is out hunting.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALAN BERGMAN, MARILYN BERGMAN, QUINCY D JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind