Dat Dere

Words & Music:

Bobby Timmons

 

This re-creation of the wonder of a child ("Dat Dere" = "That There" - you can change all the "th"s to "d"s if you want.  You can also change the genders to fit, too.) has been famously covered by Oscar Brown, Jr., Nat "Cannonball" Adderley, May Lou Williams & Rickie Lee Jones.  Thanks to correspondent Mark S. for the chords.  I've added easier guitar chords.

 

INTRO VAMP:  Fm7  Cm7  [Dm7  Am7 if using guitar chords]

 

     Cm7               Cm7/Bb      Cm6/A             Cm(#5)/Ab

     Am7               Am7/G       Am6/F#            Am(#5)/F

Hey, mama, what's that there?  And what's that under there?

      Dm7(b5)                                        G7

      Bm7(b5)                                        E7

Hey, mama, up here!  Mama - hey! - look at that over there!

    Cm7               Cm7/Bb      Cm6/A               Cm(#5)/Ab

    Am7               Am7/G       Am6/F#              Am(#5)/F

And what's that doing there?  And where're they going there?

     Dm7(B5)                    G7            Cm7

     Bm7(b5)                    E7            Am7

And, mummy, can I have that big elephant over there?

 

Who's that in my chair?  And what's he doing there?

And, mommy, oh, hey, mommy, can I go over there?

Hey mummy, what's a square?  And where do we get air?

And mummy can I have that big elephant over there?

 

BRIDGE 1:

   G7        Cm7                    D7       Gm7

   E7        Am7                    B7       Em7

My quizzical kid!  She doesn't want anything here.

               Am7(b5)           D7              G7

               F#m7(b5)          B7              E7

Just forever demanding to know who, what, why or where!

  F7        Cm7                   Dm7           G7

  D7        Am7                   Bm7           E7

Inquisitive child!  Sometimes the questions get wild!

      Dm7(b5)                 G7               Cm7

      Bm7(b5)                 E7               Am7

Like, mommy, can I have that big elephant over there?

 

Don't wanna comb my hair and where's my teddy bear?

And, mama, hey!  Look at the cowboy coming there!

And can I have a pair of boots like that to wear?

And mummy can I have that big elephant over there?

 

INTRO VAMP HERE:

 

Cm7              Fm7              Cm7           Fm7

Am7              Dm7              Am7           Dm7

Time will march, days will go and little baby's going to grow.

        Cm7               Fm7

        Am7               Dm7

I gotta tell her what she needs to know.

               Cm7                             Fm7               Cm7  [etc.]

               Am7                             Dm7               Am7

I'll help her along, so she'll know right from wrong & she'll be strong.

As life's parade goes marching by, she's gonna need to know some reasons why.

I don't have all the answers, but I'll try the best as I can.

We'll make a plan.  [alt.:  I'll make him a man.]  That's right!

 

[back to verse chords]

'Cause you give the kid your best and hope she passes the test

And finally send her out into the world somewhere.

And though she's grown up, I bet I never will forget.

Mummy, can I have that big elephant over there?

 

Hey, why they do that there?  And how you put that there?

Hey, mummy, up here!  Hey, mummy, what that say up there?

Hey, mummy, what is fair?  How come I have to share?

And, mummy can I have that big elephant over there? [last line 3x]

 

OUTRO:  repeat intro vamp & out