Ah, Skidamarink. Just reading that silly word brings a smile to my face. As a father of four kids, I know this song by heart. In fact, I’ve sung it so many times I could probably recite it in my sleep!

For the uninitiated, Skidamarink is a classic American nursery rhyme that has been passed down through generations of parents and children. With its playful lyrics and catchy tune, it’s easy to see why Skidamarink remains one of the most popular singalong songs for preschoolers and young kids.

In this post, we’ll explore the origins of Skidamarink, break down the lyrics, and discuss why it has stood the test of time as a beloved children’s song. So grab the kiddos and get ready for some old-fashioned, wholesome fun!

Full Lyrics of Skidamarink or Skinamarink

Let’s start with the complete lyrics to Skidamarink here. I’ll break it up into stanzas to make it easier to read and memorize:

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
Skidamarink a doo
I love you

OR

Skinamarinky dinky dink
Skinamarinky doo
I love you.

Skinamarinky dinky dink
Skinamarinky 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, skinamarinky dinky dink
Skinamarinky doo, I love you!

That’s it! Simple, but cute as can be. The whimsical rhyming combinations are perfect for little tongues still mastering language.

Now that you know the lyrics, get the kiddos to help sing along and do the hand motions. For the “Skidamarink a dink a dink” lines, clap your hands together on each word. For “Skidamarink a doo”, point your fingers up on “do”. And for the “I love you” line, cross your hands over your heart. So sweet!

Skidamarink

When it comes to timeless children’s songs, few compare to the innocent charm of this song. With its playful rhythm and repetitive verses easy for tiny singers to memorize, it’s no wonder it remains a preschool music staple decades after it first emerged.

While today it’s considered an American nursery rhyme, the origins are more mysterious than you might expect. And the silly lyrics hide deeper meaning that can resonate with children and adults alike.

In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about this cheeky childhood favorite. From its debated origins to the story behind the curious lyrics, consider this your complete guide to the catchy Skinamarink song.

Origins and Meaning

Unlike more famous nursery rhymes like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, the origins of Skinamarink remain shrouded in some uncertainty. There are a few theories about where this viral kids’ song came from:

The Scottish Connection

Some researchers hypothesize that Skinamarink has Scottish roots. Certain sources claim the tune first appeared as a poem in Scotland in the early 1800s. Elements like the title word “Skinamarink” resemble whimsical terms sometimes used in Scottish rhyming songs for children.

However, clear documentation linking the song back to 19th century Scotland remains elusive. So the verdict is still out on whether Skinamarink truly originated as a Scottish nursery rhyme.

Early American Print References

The first known published version of Skidamarink appeared in the USA in the early 1920s. It was included in a book of Children’s Songs called Holladay’s Special Day which was copyrighted in 1925 by Opal Wheeler. This suggests Skidamarink was already commonly known in America by the 1920s.

The silly song next appeared in a book called Cab Calloway’s Cat-ologue: A Hepster’s Dictionary in 1939, cementing its place as an American jazz-era staple.

Mysterious Meaning

Unlike many nursery rhymes with obvious traces to historical events or characters, the meaning behind Skidamarink’s lyrics remains a mystery. The word “Skidamarink” has no clear origin or definition.

Some posit it could be a play on “skedaddle”, meaning to leave quickly. The rest of the rhyme emphasizes loving someone in the morning, afternoon, evening, and night. This suggests an interpretation of promising to love someone for always and eternity.

Ultimately, Skidamarink more likely originated as a whimsical rhyme strung together to delight children rather than convey any hidden adult meaning. The playful rhythm and embracing lyrics of eternal love resonate with small children and stick with them into adulthood.

Fun Facts

Beyond its debated origins, Skidamarink has some other fun facts that make it an extra interesting nursery rhyme:

• Flexibility is key – Unlike many nursery rhymes that follow a rigid structure, Skidamarink allows for creative flexibility. Singers can elaborate on the verses or add their own new stanzas as long as they follow the basic rhyme scheme. Kids often delight in coming up with their own silly verses on the fly.
• It crossed the pond – While Skidamarink is best known as an American tune today, it did eventually hop over to England in a modified form. British preschoolers sing a version called Skidamarink A Dink A Dink, with the same basic tune and lyrics.
• You can sketch it – The repetitive verses and cadence of Skidamarink make it easy to draw out visually as a storyboard. Teachers often use it as a framework to teach basic storyboarding by turning the lyrics into a simple comic strip with characters.
• Lyrics vary – Like most songs passed down orally through generations, Skidamarink has gone through some lyrical tweaks and changes. The verses about morning, afternoon, evening and night don’t appear in the very earliest printed versions.
• Pop culture cameos – Skidamarink occasionally pops up in TV shows and movies as nostalgic nods to childhood. It has been featured in shows like Sesame Street and movies like Meet Me in St. Louis.

Conclusion

Skidamarink may seem like just a silly bit of whimsy, but it’s withstood the test of time for good reason. The playful lyrics, catchy tune, and simple hand motions make it endlessly fun for preschoolers to master. And the cute verses promising eternal love epitomize the innocent magic of childhood.

For generations of parents like myself, singing Skidamarink brings back fond memories of first sharing it with our own kids. And hearing my children sing it for each other creates new heartwarming moments to cherish. The song beautifully encapsulates the bonds within a family.

The next time you want to delight some little singers, break out this classic nursery rhyme. Share the story and lyrics in this post so you can lead the song properly. And ask any parents or grandparents to chime in if they remember it from their childhood days!

For more on timeless children’s songs, check out my previous post on the Top 50 Classic Kids’ Songs with Lyrics. Music truly is a magical part of growing up.

Hey there! I'm Allen, but you can call me "The Corny Dad" from Canada. I have a wife and four kiddos. Yep, one's full grown, but they'll always be my babies. When I'm not doing something with my family or playing video games, I'm here, jotting down my bits of wisdom on this blog. From the fun stuff to the parenting chaos, I cover it all. Believe me, with the right attitude, parenting's a smoother ride and I'm here to help.