Down by the Bay is a children’s song that enjoyed widespread popularity after Raffi, a high-profile children’s singer, included it on his album in 1976. It continues to be a popular choice today as it is passed down through the generations.
During an interview, Raffi admitted that Down by the Bay was “an old, old song” and suggested that it may have originally come from England. However, that theory remains unproven because there is a traditional Greek song that’s sung to the same melody, with the name of Seaside or Bay.
Although no one knows where this song came from, the slightly nonsensical lyrics have ensured that it has remained a hit with children and is often sung around campfires. The meaning of song is said to deal with the decline of a mother as dementia takes hold and the actions of her child as they try to escape her and the disease.
Down by the Bay Lyrics
Down by the bay,
Where the watermelons grow,
Back to my home,
I dare not go,
For if I do,
My mother will say:
Did you ever see a goose,
Kissing a moose?
Down by the bay!
Down by the bay,
Where the watermelons grow,
Back to my home,
I dare not go,
For if I do,
My mother will say:
Did you ever see a llama,
Eating his pajamas?
Down by the bay!
Down by the bay,
Where the watermelons grow,
Back to my home,
I dare not go,
For if I do,
My mother will say:
Did you ever see a bear,
Combing his hair?
Down by the bay!
Down by the bay,
Where the watermelons grow,
Back to my home,
I dare not go,
For if I do,
My mother will say:
Did you ever see a whale,
With a polka dot tail?
Down by the bay!
Down by the bay,
Where the watermelons grow,
Back to my home,
I dare not go,
For if I do,
My mother will say:
Did you ever see a fly,
Wearing a tie?
Down by the bay!
Down by the bay,
Where the watermelons grow,
Back to my home,
I dare not go,
For if I do,
My mother will say:
Did you ever see a bee,
With a sunburned knee?
Down by the bay!
Down by the bay,
Where the watermelons grow,
Back to my home,
I dare not go,
For if I do,
My mother will say:
Did you ever see a pig,
Wearing a wig?
Down by the bay!
Down by the bay,
Where the watermelons grow,
Back to my home,
I dare not go,
For if I do,
My mother will say:
Did you ever have a time,
When you couldn’t make a rhyme?
Down by the bay!
Down by the Bay Music Sheet
