Skidamarink

"Skidamarink" is a nonsense word wrapped around a plain "I love you," now sung with hand actions in preschools everywhere. It started life on Broadway in 1910 and was rescued from obscurity decades later by the Canadian trio Sharon, Lois & Bram, who used it to close their TV show.

Origins

The song was originally written in 1910 for the Broadway musical The Echo. It was composed by Al Piantadosi with lyrics written by Felix F. Feist. In the show, the song was titled "Skid-a-mer-rink-ad-doo-dag-love-you." Although the musical itself has been forgotten, the catchy song survived through vaudeville performances. It was later popularized for new generations by the Canadian children's musical trio Sharon, Lois & Bram, who performed it as their signature closing song on their television show The Elephant Show starting in 1984.

Meaning & Interpretation

The lyrics are a straightforward expression of affection that continues throughout the day, from the morning until the evening underneath the moon. The nonsense words like "skidamarink" have no literal meaning, serving instead as a rhythmic chant. Children often perform the song with hand gestures, pointing to their eyes for "I," crossing their hands over their hearts for "love," and pointing outward for "you."

What does the word "Skidamarink" mean?

The word "Skidamarink" has no formal definition. It is a made-up, nonsensical word created by the song's writers in 1910 to serve as a catchy, rhythmic vocal hook that children find fun to repeat.

Who wrote the song "Skidamarink"?

The song was written by composer Al Piantadosi and lyricist Felix F. Feist for a 1910 Broadway production called The Echo. Al Piantadosi was a prominent sheet music composer of the early twentieth century, and Feist went on to become a successful sales manager in the film industry.