According to Answers.com a Mondegreen is “A series of words that result from the mishearing or misinterpretation of a statement or song lyric.” [To find out how the word got started click here.]
Some examples that you have probably heard before are when a child interprets the hymns Gladly the Cross I’d Bear as Gladly, the Cross-eyed Bear; and Lead on O King Eternal as Lead on, O Kinky Turtle.
My oldest daughter created some new ones when she was 3.
- When she sings He’s Able she sings “and set the captain free.”
- In I Sing a New Song she sings “walkin’ in the road.” Instead of “walk a new road.”
- She has combined two songs to get this phrase “Everybody Ought to Know, where the watermelons grow.” [Down By the Bay]
I have given up explaining them to her. Someday she’ll get all the words straight, but for now I just smile and sing along.
Do you remember the boy that insisted God’s name is “Andy”? When his teacher asked him how he knew God’s name he replied, “It is in the song! Andy walks with me, Andy talks with me…” [In the Garden]
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