Mommy, Buy Me a China Doll

USA

HISTORY AND SONG NOTES

Mommy, Buy Me a China Doll, or Mama, Buy Me a China Doll is an American story and folksong from the Ozark Mountains.

In addition to the lyrics in the score above, there are several commonly sung additional verses, which detail the conversation between Eliza Lou and her Mommy. Once the children have become familiar with the song, they may enjoy creating their own verses to change or lengthen the song, and to collaborate in telling the story.

In Diller-Quaile’s version, we have included a few favorite verses:

Additional Verses:

2. What would we take to buy it with? What would we take to buy it with? What would we take to buy it with, Eliza Lou?

3. We could trade daddy's feather bed. We could trade daddy's feather bed. We could trade daddy's feather bed. Do, mommy, do!

4. Then where would our daddy sleep? Then where would our daddy sleep? Then where would our daddy sleep, Eliza Lou?

5. He could sleep in the kittens' bed. He could sleep in the kittens' bed. He could sleep in the kittens' bed. Do, mommy, do!

6. Then where could our kittens sleep?Then where could our kittens sleep? Then where could our kittens sleep, Eliza Lou?

7. They can sleep in the chicken coop. They can sleep in the chicken coop. They can sleep in the chicken coop. Do, mommy, do!

8. Then where would our chickens sleep? Then where would our chickens sleep? Then where would our chickens sleep, Eliza Lou?

9. They can sleep in my own bed. They can sleep in my own bed. They can sleep in my own bed. Do, mommy do!

10. Then where would Eliza sleep? Then where would Eliza sleep? Then where would Eliza sleep, Eliza Lou?

11. I can sleep on mommy's lap. I can sleep on mommy's lap. I can sleep on mommy's lap. Do, mommy, do.

AUDIO RECORDING with words FOR LISTENING, SINGING ALONG, AND LEARNING: 

Downloads:

PDF of Score: Mommy, Buy Me a China Doll