The Merry Macs were an American close-harmony pop music quartet active from… Read Full Bio ↴The Merry Macs were an American close-harmony pop music quartet active from the 1920s till the 1960s and best known for the hits “Mairzy Doats,” “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition” and "Sentimental Journey." They also sang on recordings with Bing Crosby.

Formed to play proms in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the group originally consisted of the three McMichael brothers: tenors Judd (1906-1989) and Joe (1916-1944), and baritone Ted (1908-2001). They were discovered by singer-bandleader Eddie Dunstedter. In 1930 the McMichaels, after performing as The Mystery Trio and The Personality Boys, added a female lead singer, Cheri McKay, and changed their name to The Merry Macs.

In 1936 they appeared on several national radio programs, and Cheri McKay was replaced by Helen Carroll. (McKay trained her successor in the group's singing style.)

Vocal quartets had customarily harmonized like barbershop quartets. The Merry Macs revolutionized vocal harmony with closer harmonic chords. This style inspired other groups, like The Modernaires and Six Hits and a Miss. In 1938 The Merry Macs signed with Decca Records and recorded “Pop Goes the Weasel.” The Merry Macs (with Carroll) sang a swing version of "Down by the Old Mill Stream" in the 1939 Vitaphone musical Seeing Red, Red Skelton's first film.

In 1939 Mary Lou Cook (b. 1910) replaced Helen Carroll. This is the foursome that most listeners know from film appearances. The McMichael brothers and Cook appeared as a specialty act in Hollywood movies, including 1940's Love Thy Neighbor, and Universal Pictures gave The Merry Macs their own feature-film series in 1941. Their most famous film is Ride 'Em Cowboy (1942), an Abbott and Costello comedy in which The Merry Macs offer musical interludes. At the time, Mary Lou was married to actor Elisha Cook, Jr.; evidently there were problems because Mary Lou ended both her marriage and her affiliation with The Merry Macs at about the same time.

Marjory Garland (1923-1991) replaced Mary Lou Cook after Ride 'Em Cowboy was filmed. The Merry Macs continued to score on the hit parade; their rendition of "Mairzy Doats" was a best-seller. Garland, who later married Judd McMichael, remained with the group until the 1960s.

Youngest brother Joe McMichael served in the armed forces and was killed in 1944. He was replaced by Clive Erard, then Dick Baldwin, and finally Vern Rowe. The foursome of Judd, Ted, Marjory and Vern continued performing until they retired from show business in 1964.

Jingle Jangle Jingle
The Merry Macs Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Chorus:]
I've got spurs that jingle jangle jingle
As I go riding merrily along
And they sing, "oh ain't you glad you're single
And that song ain't so very far from wrong

Oh Maryanne, oh Maryanne
Tho we done some moonlight walkin'

This is why I up and ran
Oh Sally Jane, oh Sally Jane
Tho I'd love to stay forever
This is why I can't remain

Oh Lillybelle, oh Lillybelle
This is why I never fell

Overall Meaning

The Merry Macs's song Jingle Jangle Jingle is a fun, upbeat western song with playful lyrics that have a deeper meaning. The chorus is a catchy tune that celebrates the freedom and joy of being single, with the jingle jangle of spurs adding to the happy vibe of the song. The lyrics suggest that being single is a carefree and enjoyable state, free from the responsibilities and obligations of a committed relationship. This idea is reinforced with the line "and that song ain't so very far from wrong."

However, the verse lyrics tell another story. The singer mentions three women he has known (Maryanne, Sally Jane, and Lillybelle) and why he "up and ran" or "never fell" for them. This suggests that the singer's single status might not be entirely voluntary but rather a product of his inability to commit or form deeper connections with others. Thus, the song's playful surface belies a more complex truth about human relationships and the difficulty of finding lasting love.

Line by Line Meaning

I've got spurs that jingle jangle jingle
I have spurs on my boots that make a jingling sound as I ride

As I go riding merrily along
I go riding happily and without care

And they sing, 'oh ain't you glad you're single
The spurs make a sound that sounds like they are saying that being single is great

And that song ain't so very far from wrong
That statement is pretty accurate

Oh Maryanne, oh Maryanne
Addressing a woman named Maryanne

Tho we done some moonlight walkin'
Although we went for walks in the moonlight

This is why I up and ran
This is why I abruptly left

Oh Sally Jane, oh Sally Jane
Addressing a woman named Sally Jane

Tho I'd love to stay forever
Although I would love to stay for a long time

This is why I can't remain
This is why I can't stay

Oh Lillybelle, oh Lillybelle
Addressing a woman named Lillybelle