Saturday, December 22, 2012

Our Favorite Misunderstood Christmas Lyrics

If you have kids, or have ever been around kids, you probably know the joy of hearing how they interpret things they don't quite understand. It's particularly amusing with song lyrics, and at this time of the year (with all of the seasonal songs that everyone is singing) there seems to be a never-ending potential for hilarious misinterpretations. (You've probably all heard about "Round John Virgin" in the song "Silent Night.")

My daughter loves to sing, and she has really gotten in to the Christmas music this year - everything from the classics to the more modern hits. Her favorites would probably have to be "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Holly Jolly Christmas" (and she knows all the words to both of them.) But she still has a little trouble with parts of "The 12 Days of Christmas." I've been trying to help her, but in her mind "6 bees away" doesn't make any less sense than "6 geese a-laying," so that's still how she sings it every time.

Earlier this year my son came to me. "Mommy, what's a dirdledot?"
"Um... a what?"
"A dirdledot."
"I have no idea."
(Frustrated) "You know! Like in the song about the 12 days of Christmas!"
"Oh! It actually says 'two turtledoves.'"
"Oh, okay." (Pause for contemplation.) "Mommy, what's a turtledove?"

Now he gets it, and he sings it correctly. But to be honest, I kind of miss the dirdledots a little bit. :)

Ok, how about you? I'm sure you have some stories to share about your kids. What were their best misunderstood song lyrics? (You can keep it in the holidays if you want, but it doesn't have to be Christmas songs.) Please share your favorites!

1 comment:

  1. I heard "Jingle Bells" on the radio today, and remembered another good one from last year. For my kids, it was fun to ride in a "one horse, soap, and sleigh."

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