Inez & Charlie Foxx--Mockingbird (1963)

     Most people my age remember the song, "Mockingbird" as sung by Carly Simon and James Taylor in 1973 that version reached number 5. Forms of the song has been covered by artists from Dusty Springfield to Toby Keith, but the song had it's start much earlier.
     It's origins come from a lullaby called "Hush, Little Baby", which was to have been thought to been written here in the states. It goes as follows:

  Hush, little baby, don't say a word,
Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird.

And if that mockingbird won't sing,
Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring.

And if that diamond ring turns brass,
Papa's gonna buy you a looking glass.

And if that looking glass gets broke,
Papa's gonna buy you a billy goat,

And if that billy goat don't pull,
Papa's gonna buy you a cart and bull.

And if that cart and bull turn over,
Papa's gonna buy you a dog named Rover.

And if that dog named Rover won't bark,
Papa's gonna buy you a horse and cart.

And if that horse and cart fall down,
You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town.

     Inez Foxx and her brother Charlie arranged this lullaby and sang it for Henry Murray the owner of Sue Records in New York City. He loved it and after a change of title to, "Mockingbird" it was recorded and released in the fall of 1963. It became by far the biggest hit the duo ever had reaching #7 on the charts.

Follow me on Facebook at: Rock and Roll Omnibus
Follow me on Twitter @rokandrollbus