Skip to My Lou is a traditional American folk song with roots in 19th-century frontier culture. Originally used as a playful partner-dancing tune, its simple melody and fun lyrics made it a favourite at gatherings and later in children’s music.
Though no single artist wrote it, the song became widely known through folk legends like Lead Belly, who helped preserve and popularize it during the early 20th century.
His soulful interpretations breathed new life into old tunes, connecting generations to the rich tradition of American folk music.
Complete Skip to My Lou Lyrics
Skip, skip, skip to my Lou,
Skip, skip, skip to my Lou,
Skip, skip, skip to my Lou,
Skip to my Lou, my darling.
I lost my partner, what’ll I do?
I lost my partner, what’ll I do?
I lost my partner, what’ll I do?
Skip to my Lou, my darling.
Fly in the buttermilk, shoo, fly, shoo.
Fly in the buttermilk, shoo, fly, shoo.
Fly in the buttermilk, shoo, fly, shoo.
Skip to my Lou, my darling.
I’ll get another, as pretty as you,
I’ll get another, as pretty as you,
I’ll get another, as pretty as you,
Skip to my Lou, my darling.
Little red wagon, painted blue,
Little red wagon, painted blue,
Little red wagon, painted blue,
Skip to my Lou, my darling.
Can’t get a red bird, jay bird’ll do,
Can’t get a red bird, jay bird’ll do,
Can’t get a red bird, jay bird’ll do,
Skip to my Lou, my darling.
Cat’s in the cream jar, ooh, ooh, ooh,
Cat’s in the cream jar, ooh, ooh, ooh,
Cat’s in the cream jar, ooh, ooh, ooh,
Skip to my Lou, my darling.
Off to Texas, two by two,
Off to Texas, two by two,
Off to Texas, two by two,
Skip to my Lou, my darling.
Similar Songs Like Skip to My Lou
If you enjoy the lighthearted charm of Skip to My Lou, you’ll likely appreciate other traditional tunes:
- Goodnight, Irene: This song gently flows like a lullaby, but the lyrics carry heartache. It’s about lost love and the hope of reunion someday.
- Midnight Special: With a train rhythm and hopeful energy, this track speaks of freedom shining its light, especially for prisoners dreaming of release.
- Pick a Bale of Cotton: Energetic and repetitive, this work song blends humor and history, with a strong beat that makes it fun to sing together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Skip to My Lou a Square Dance?
While not technically a square dance, it is often used to teach basic dance steps and is popular in square dance circles for its partner-swapping format
What does Lou Mean in Skip to My Lou?
The Lou in the title comes from the Scottish word loo, which means love. So, Skip to My Lou can be interpreted as Skip to My Love.
What is the Origin of Skip to My Lou?
The song dates back to the 1840s and was popular in the American frontier, especially in the Midwest. It may have roots in the Creole folksong Lolotte Pov’piti Lolotte, to which it bears a strong resemblance.
