Skidamarink facts for kids
Skidamarink or Skinnamarink is a popular preschool sing-along song from North America. . Originally titled "Skid-dy-mer-rink-adink-aboomp" or "Skiddy-Mer-Rink-A-Doo", the initial version of the song was written by Felix F. Feist (lyrics) and Al Piantadosi (music) for the 1910 Charles Dillingham Broadway production "The Echo." Since the title is gibberish, it has had various spellings over the years.
In Canada, the song was popularised by the children's music band Sharon, Lois & Bram, who first released it on their debut album One Elephant, Deux Elephants, and then sang it on The Elephant Show. "Skinnamarink" became their signature song, and their next television show was named Skinnamarink TV after it. A natural ice rink at the Sharon, Lois & Bram Playground in Davisville, Toronto has been named the "Skinnama-rink" in honour of the song. Lois Lilienstein heard the song when she asked her cousin's daughter if she knew any good songs and the girl sang "Skinnamarink", which she had just heard at camp. None of the band members knew the origins of the song, and the track was attributed to "Traditional".
Popular Australian children's band The Wiggles released a version of the song in March 2020.
Lyrics
ORIGINAL 1910 VERSION:
1. Down on a Boola Boola Isle,
Where the mermaids chant,
Reigns big chief Crocodile
Beneath an oyster plant.
He loved a sea-nymph selfishly,
Queen of the Gay White Wave.
Each night in his shell he'd go to sea
And in tuneful scales he'd rave:
CHORUS: Skiddy-mer-rink-a-dink-a-boomp, skiddy-mer-rink-a-doo,
Means I love you.
Skiddy-mer-rink-a-dink-a-boomp, skiddy-mer-rink-a-doo,
Means I'll be true
Skiddy-mer-rink-a-dink-a-boomp, skiddy-mer-rink-a-doo,
All the time he {sang/sings} this rhyme
Skiddy-mer-rink-a-dink-a-boomp, skiddy-mer-rink-a-doo,
Means I love you.
2. But when the midnight moon was pale,
King Fish Kokomo
Came floating over with his tale
To say he loved her so;
But she was true to Crocodile,
Said "Koko-Nut, go 'way;
I know, in a very little while
You will hear my lover say:"
CHORUS
Current version
Skidamarink a dink a dink,
skidamarink a doo.
I love you!
Skidamarink a dink a dink,
skidamarink a doo.
I love you!
I love you in the morning,
and in the afternoon.
I love you in the evening,
and underneath the moon.
Oh skidamarink a dink a dink a dink,
skidamarink a doo.
I love you!
