My Bonnie
Tony Sheridan & The Beat Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My Bonnie lies over the sea
My Bonnie lies over the ocean
Oh bring back my Bonnie to me
My Bonnie lies over the ocean
My Bonnie lies over the sea
Well, my Bonnie lies over the ocean
Yeah bring back, ah bring back
Oh bring back my Bonnie to me to me (to me)
(Ah bring) Oh bring back, ah bring back
Oh bring back my Bonnie to me
Well, my Bonnie lies over the ocean
My Bonnie lies over the sea
Yeah my Bonnie lies over the ocean
Oh, I said bring back my Bonnie to me
Yeah bring back, ah bring back
Oh bring back my Bonnie to me to me (to me)
Oh bring back, ah bring back
Oh bring back my Bonnie to me
The song "My Bonnie" is a Scottish folk song that gained popularity in the 20th century. This particular version, recorded by Tony Sheridan and The Beat Brothers in 1961, became popular in Germany, where The Beatles were also gaining popularity around the same time. The song is a simple love song: the singer longs for his lover, Bonnie, who is across the ocean. He asks for her to be brought back to him, expressing his desire through repetition of the same phrase at the end of every verse.
It's easy to see why the song became popular: it has a catchy melody and a sing-along chorus. But there may be more to its popularity than that. Some have pointed out that the song's yearning for a far-off lover echoes the feelings of German youth who were separated from family and friends due to the country's east-west division. The song's popularity may have provided a sense of unity and connection for those who felt alone in a divided country.
Line by Line Meaning
My Bonnie lies over the ocean
The person being referred to as 'My Bonnie' is currently situated far away from the singer, across a large body of water.
My Bonnie lies over the sea
The aforementioned body of water which separates the singer and 'My Bonnie' is the ocean.
Oh bring back my Bonnie to me
The singer is expressing a desire for 'My Bonnie' to return to them, as they are currently separated.
Yeah bring back, ah bring back
The artist is repeating and emphasizing their desire for 'My Bonnie' to be brought back to them.
Well, my Bonnie lies over the ocean
The artist is restating the fact that 'My Bonnie' is located across the ocean, as a reminder to themselves and others listening.
Oh bring) Oh bring back, ah bring back
The singer is continuing to express their strong desire for 'My Bonnie' to be brought back to them.
Oh bring back my Bonnie to me to me (to me)
The singer is repeating their desire for 'My Bonnie' to return to them, and adding emphasis by saying 'to me' multiple times.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Tony Sheridan, Traditional, T SHERIDAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind