There you were one lazy afternoon, enjoying the company of your special someone, when suddenly you feel the urge to sing. As you belt out your rendition of a popular tune you were stopped mid-song by your companion's laughter. Why? You apparently misheard the lyrics and unknowingly came up with something really funny. Ah, such is the case with mondegreens.
"They ha'e slain the Earl of Murray
And Lady Mondegreen
The correct line however is:
They ha'e slain the Earl of Murray
And they laid him on the green
Thus, the term "mondegreen" was coined to describe lines, passages or lyrics of a song that are misheard or misunderstood.
There are many pop songs and Christmas carols that have been misheard over the years. Other types of music like rock and heavy metal are also sources of mondegreens because sometimes it's hard to decipher what the vocalist is singing. Mondegreens are often funny; here are some examples:
"Deck the Halls"
Misheard lyric: Deck the halls with Buddy Holly
Correct lyric: Deck the halls with boughs of holly
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"
Misheard lyric; Olive the other reindeer
Correct lyric: All of the other reindeer
"Without You"
Misheard lyric: Ken Lee...
Correct lyric: Can't live...
"Tiny Dancer"
Misheard lyric: Hold me closer Tony Danza
Correct lyric: Hold me closer tiny dancer
"Scarborough Fair"
Misheard lyric: Are you going to starve an old friend?
Correct lyric: Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
"I'd Really Love To See You Tonight"
Misheard lyric: I'm not talking 'bout the linen
Correct lyric: I'm not talking 'bout movin' in
Straight from Readers:
Submitted by: Gwynne French
"Poetry in Motion"
Misheard lyric: Oh, a tree in motion
Correct lyric: Poetry in motion
"Beauty and the Beast"
Misheard lyric: Tailor old as time
Correct lyric: Tale as old as time
"Those Were the Days"
Misheard lyric: Gee or Ole celebrate
Correct lyric: Gee, our old LaSalle ran great
Share your own mondegreens in the Forum or email it to musiced.guide@about.com.
