Malvina Reynolds: Song Lyrics and Poems  



Beetle Bottle Bush

Notes: words and music by Malvina Reynolds; copyright 1959 Schroder Music Company, renewed 1987.


She washed the clothes in the morning,
And hung them out to dry,
And there she saw the tawny-headed boy,
Who sang as he went by,

Chorus:
Here we go round the Beetle Bottle Bush,
The Beetle Bottle Beetle Bottle Bush, Bottle Bush,
Here we go round the Beetle Bottle Bush,
And won't you be my darling.

She baked the bread in the morning,
And Ma said it looked great,
And then she saw the tawny-headed boy
Standing at the garden gate.

(Chorus)

She cooked the jam in the morning,
And oh, it smelled like more,
And there she saw the tawny-headed boy
Standing at the kitchen door.

(Chorus)

She gave the boy his breakfast,
And he stowed it all away,
And he asked her if she'd be his little wife,
And cook his breakfast every day.

(Chorus)

She made her dress in the morning,
And walked on down the aisle,
All along with the tawny-headed boy
Who smiled a honey-colored smile.

(Chorus)

There's tawny-headed kids in her kitchen,
As pretty as they can be,
And she washes their clothes, and wipes their nose,
And they all sing merrily:

(Chorus)


Malvina Reynolds songbook(s) in which the music to this song appears:
---- Cheerful Tunes for Lutes and Spoons: Youngish Songs

Malvina Reynolds recording(s) on which this song is performed:
---- [none]

Recordings by other artists on which this song is performed:
---- Kate Harcourt & Marjorie Orchiston: Inside and Outside (7-inch 45 r.p.m., Kiwi Records EA-179, 1972)


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