Mairzy Doats (and Dozy Doats)

Publish date: 2024-05-08

Mairzy Doats
The Merry Macs Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴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?


Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Merry Macs's "Mairzy Doats" may seem nonsensical at first, but they actually have a hidden meaning. The song was written in 1943 during the height of World War II, and many believe that it was created as a way for soldiers to communicate secretly without enemy interception. The words "mairzy doats" sound like "mares eat oats," and "liddle lamzy divey" sounds like "little lambs eat ivy." This clever wordplay enabled soldiers to pass messages without the fear of them being decoded by the enemy.


The lyrics of the song also capture the light-hearted and carefree spirit of the time. The song is nutty, goofy, silly, and crazy - all qualities that people were looking for during the war years. The playful tune and wordplay made it an instant hit and have kept it popular over the years.


"Marizy Doats" is also historically significant in that it was the first recording by a black-owned record company, Jubilee Records, to sell over a million copies. The original recording was made by The Merry Macs in 1944 and has since been covered by numerous artists, including the likes of Perry Como, Rosemary Clooney, and The Beatles, among others.


Line by Line Meaning

I know a ditty nutty as a fruitcake
I am aware of a song that is as crazy as a cake with lots of nuts.


Goofy as a goon and silly as a loon
It's as ridiculous as someone who is overdramatic and senseless.


Some call it pretty, others call it crazy
Different people have different opinions about it, some think it's beautiful, some think it's insane.


But they all sing this tune:
But regardless of their opinions, they all sing this specific song.


Mairzy doats and dozy doats and liddle lamzy divey
Silly made-up terms that form the basis of the song.


A kiddley divey too, wouldn't you?
It's also a playful and fun song to sing, don't you think?


If the words sound queer and funny to your ear, a little bit jumbled and jivey
If the lyrics sound strange and confusing to you, like they don't make sense.


Sing 'Mares eat oats and does eat oats and little lambs eat ivy'
Then just sing the alternate version which replaces made-up words with more familiar ones.


Oh! Mairzy doats and dozy doats and liddle lamzy divey
Repeating the silly made-up lyrics once again.


A kiddley divey too, wouldn't you-oo?
And once again, asking if you also find it a fun song to sing.


Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Al Hoffman, Jerry Livingston, Milton Drake

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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