Fuzzy Wuzzy (song)
Encyclopedia
Fuzzy Wuzzy is a song written in 1944 by Al Hoffman
, Milton Drake and Jerry Livingston
. Its chorus is a well-known rhyme:
A variation sometimes used by children, is:
The above variation is a common misconception among children who were not of the apt listening variety.
The true saying, as was echoed in the hearts and minds of the aware children in the playground, is as follows:
This version retains an equilibrium of rhyme and verse.
It first provides the conclusion, then the fact, then the puzzle, then the question of the fact, then the question.
The childish element of mystery is retained in the centre. The 'if' is slipped in, not as a word of it's own accord, but as a checkpoint of sorts. During pronunciation, there is a pause after the first and second lines. The third line then flows into the fourth pause free, perhaps leading some to assume that only three lines are ever said. During the transition from third to fourth, we end with the word 'hair' and begin with the word 'he'. There is much amusement and perhaps an added confusion in the fact that the letter 'h' in the English language is pronounced as either 'hayche' or 'ache'. It can therefore be silent or verbalised, depending on how one feels at the time of vocalisation. To the untrained ear and/or mind, the transition from third to fourth can be thought of as simply 'hairy', as opposed to 'hair, he'. Of course there can be no right or wrong in any case, only differing perspectives on the same event. Thus, this simple children's twister of tongues is not only fun to say, but it is a wonderful metaphor for life and death.
Al Hoffman
Al Hoffman , a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame since 1984, was a hit songwriter active in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, usually co-writing with others and responsible for number one hits through each decade, many of which are still sung and recorded today...
, Milton Drake and Jerry Livingston
Jerry Livingston
Jerry Livingston was an American songwriter, and dance orchestra pianist.-Biography:...
. Its chorus is a well-known rhyme:
Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear
Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair
Fuzzy Wuzzy wasn't fuzzy,was he?
A variation sometimes used by children, is:
Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear
Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair
If Fuzzy Wuzzy wasn't fuzzy, who was Fuzzy Wuzzy?
The above variation is a common misconception among children who were not of the apt listening variety.
The true saying, as was echoed in the hearts and minds of the aware children in the playground, is as follows:
Fuzzy-wuzzy was a bear,
Fuzzy-wuzzy had no hair,
If Fuzzy-wuzzy had no hair,
He wasn't fuzzy, was he?
This version retains an equilibrium of rhyme and verse.
It first provides the conclusion, then the fact, then the puzzle, then the question of the fact, then the question.
The childish element of mystery is retained in the centre. The 'if' is slipped in, not as a word of it's own accord, but as a checkpoint of sorts. During pronunciation, there is a pause after the first and second lines. The third line then flows into the fourth pause free, perhaps leading some to assume that only three lines are ever said. During the transition from third to fourth, we end with the word 'hair' and begin with the word 'he'. There is much amusement and perhaps an added confusion in the fact that the letter 'h' in the English language is pronounced as either 'hayche' or 'ache'. It can therefore be silent or verbalised, depending on how one feels at the time of vocalisation. To the untrained ear and/or mind, the transition from third to fourth can be thought of as simply 'hairy', as opposed to 'hair, he'. Of course there can be no right or wrong in any case, only differing perspectives on the same event. Thus, this simple children's twister of tongues is not only fun to say, but it is a wonderful metaphor for life and death.