Mairzy Doats

The Merry Macs

About Mairzy Doats

“Mairzy Doats” is a novelty song written and composed in 1943 by Milton Drake, Al Hoffman, and Jerry Livingston. It was first played on radio station WOR, New York, by Al Trace and his Silly Symphonists. The song made the pop charts several times, with a version by the Merry Macs reaching No. 1 in March 1944. The song was also a number-one sheet music seller, with sales of over 450,000 within the first three weeks of release. The song's refrain, as written on the sheet music, seems meaningless: Mairzy doats and dozy doats and liddle lamzy divey A kiddley divey too, wouldn't you?However, the lyrics of the bridge provide a clue: If the words sound queer and funny to your ear, a little bit jumbled and jivey, Sing "Mares eat oats and does eat oats and little lambs eat ivy. "This hint allows the ear to translate the final line as "a kid'll eat ivy, too; wouldn't you?" 


Year:
1997
2:44
52,557 
#66

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

I know a ditty nutty as a fruitcake
Goofy as a goon and silly as a loon
Some call it pretty, others call it crazy
But they all sing this tune:

Mairzy doats and dozy doats and liddle lamzy divey
A kiddley divey too, wouldn't you?
Yes! Mairzy doats and dozy doats and liddle lamzy divey
A kiddley divey too, wouldn't you?

If the words sound queer and funny to your ear, a little bit jumbled and jivey
Sing "Mares eat oats and does eat oats and little lambs eat ivy"

Oh! Mairzy doats and dozy doats and liddle lamzy divey
A kiddley divey too, wouldn't you-oo?
A kiddley divey too, wouldn't you?

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


The Merry Macs

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." The group 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 organist-bandleader Eddie Dunstedter of station WCCO, who suggested they perform in masks and dubbed them The Mystery Trio. In 1931–'32 the McMichaels toured with the orchestra of arranger-composer Joe Haymes, who renamed them The Personality Boys. By 1933 they added a female lead singer, C… more »

2 fans

Written by: AL HOFFMAN, JERRY LIVINGSTON, MILTON DRAKE

Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Origin of the Song
"Mairzy Doats" is a novelty song written and composed by Milton Drake, Al Hoffman, and Jerry Livingston. It was first popularized in its time by bandleader and musician Al Trace and later by the musical group, The Merry Macs.
Popularity
The song became extremely popular during World War II and was a number one hit in the United States for multiple weeks in 1944.
Unique Lyrics
The lyrics of "Mairzy Doats" are known for its playfulness with English language phonetics, often leading to confusion among listeners. The tricky "nonsense" lyrics when sang fast sound like, "Mares eat oats and does eat oats and little lambs eat ivy."
Usage in Pop Culture
The song has appeared in multiple movies and TV shows, such as "Ghost", "Twin Peaks", and "Criminal Minds". It has even been used for a children's book.
Variations
Variations of the song have been recorded by numerous popular musicians over the years, including Burl Ives and Spike Jones.
Influence on Other Compositions
The tune of "Mairzy Doats" has been borrowed for other songs. The theme song of the TV series "The Donna Reed Show" is notably similar.
Cover Versions
One of the most famous cover versions of "Mairzy Doats" was done by British comedian and actor, Frankie Howerd.
Renditions
The song was often performed as a comedy act, with performers exaggerating the playful nature of the song's lyrics.
Chart Success
Both Al Trace and The Merry Macs versions of "Mairzy Doats" enjoyed Billboard chart success, reflecting the song's immense popularity.
Longevity
Despite being composed in the 1940s, "Mairzy Doats" remains a recognizable tune today, a testament to its lasting cultural impact.

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