LEATHERWINGED BAT
“Leather-Winged Bat” is a well-known English folk song about a bat, a blackbird, a
woodpecker, a turtle dove, and a bluejay. Each “bird” has something to say about love
and courtship. It was recorded by Burl Ives on 31 January 1941 and released in August
1941 on the album “Okeh Presents the Wayfaring Stranger”. It has also been recorded by
Pete Seeger, The Duhks, Bill Staines, Spider John Koerner, and Peter, Paul and Mary.
“I” said the little brown and leather winged bat
“I’ll tell you the reason that
the reason that I fly by night
is because I’ve lost my heart’s delight”
Adidadidedilowdey (3x)
Hey hey dedilowey-o
“I” said the red bird sitting on a fence
“I once loved a handsome wench
she got saucy and from me fled
and ever since my head’s been red”
Adidadidedilowdey (3x)
Hey hey dedilowey-o
“I” said the blue bird as he flew
“I once loved a young gal’ too
she got saucy and wanted to go
so I got me a new string for my bow”
Adidadidedilowdey (3x)
Hey hey dedilowey-o
(instrument break)
“I” said the robin as he flew
“when I was a young man I chose two
one didn’t love me, the other one would
don’t you think my notion is good”
“Hoot” said the owl with a head so white
“lonesome day and lonesome night
then I hear some pretty gal’ say
she court all night and sleep all day”
(instrument break)
