Uncle Remus Said

Words and music by Johnny Lange,
Hy Heath, and Eliot Daniel.
Performed by the Hall Johnson Choir
© 1946 Walt Disney Music Company


That's what Uncle Remus said.
That's what Uncle Remus said.
Listen now to what I say:
That's how the critters got that way.

The leopard's pappy got the gout,
From eatin' too much speckled trout.
His mammy dreamed of polka dots—
That's how the leopard got his spots.
That's what Uncle Remus said.
That's what Uncle Remus said.
Speckled trout and polka dots—
That's how the leopard got his spots.
More, more, tell us more!

The camel crossed the dessert sands,
With all them mighty caravans.
His bed was full of sandy lumps—
That's how the camel got those humps.
That's what Uncle Remus said.
That's what Uncle Remus said.
Bed was full of sandy lumps—
That's how the camel got those humps.
More, more, tell us more!

The pig he saw his monkey friend,
A-swinging by his other end.
He tried the same thing on a rail—
That's how the pig got a curly tail.
That's what Uncle Remus said.
That's what Uncle Remus said.
Tried the same thing on a rail—
That's how the pig got a curly tail.
More, more, tell us more!
More, more, more.

Article from 1946 publicity book:

New Disney Feature
Has Chain-Reaction Song

"The chain-reaction, endless song, of which American folk music is so plentiful, is revived in 'Song of the South,'...

"The number is 'Uncle Remus Said,' and it consists of a single, brief melody repeated as often as new lyrics come along. Each verse tells how animals got their characteristic shapes, natures, looks and habits.

"Disney remembered the song form from his days in the first world war as an ambulance driver, listening to perpetual-tune songs of soldiers of all nationalities. Later he heard many occupational ballads in the same style, and discovered that the South was particularly rich in them."

1946 song teaser ad [Mat 216].

Only verses 1, 2, and 6 were performed in the actual movie. The introduction, as well as verses 3, 4, and 5 and the coda, only appear in the sheet music version:


Introduction:
Uncle Remus, Uncle Remus,
Uncle Remus Said,
"Gather 'round me, little children,
Before you go to bed.
Just give me your attention,
Hear what I've got to say;
I'll tell you how the animals got that way.

Verse 3:
They threw the fox into a cage,
But Brother Fox was very sage.
He used his tail to pick the locks,
And that's why they call him "sly old fox".

Verse 4:
Brother turtle and brother hare,
They ran a race and I was there.
The hare dropped in at "Barney's Place,"
And that's how the turtle won the race.

Verse 5:
The little ostrich went to school,
But couldn't learn the golden rule.
The kids all yelled, "Is your face red!"
And that's why the ostrich hides his head.

Coda:
That's all, little children,
That's all, little children,
Be good, little children,
It's time to go to bed.
No more, little children,
No more, little children,
Goodnight, little children,
That's what Uncle Remus Said.

View Original Sheet Music
Listen to Sound Clip

This song is not currently available on CD, however it was released on several Disneyland record albums, including DQ-1205.

Return to Lyrics

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© 1999-2008 Christian E. Willis. Song of the South © Disney. Legal Information.