Mr. Rabbit Printable Lyrics – PDF

“Mr. Rabbit” is an old spiritual song reflecting “Br’er Rabbit”, namely the trickster figure originating in African folklore. During enslavement, African-American people created a whole cycle of animal tales expressing their hardships but also their hopes for a free life. Br’er Rabbit, who was a metaphor for enslaved brothers, outsmarted larger and stronger animals, such as Brer Fox and Brer Bear, which were metaphors for the white master.

The song appears in Ruth Crawford Seeger’s book “American Folk Songs for Children.” It has been recorded by Burl Ives, Pete Seeger, Paul Westerberg and others. Today, the song, disconnected from its original meaning, has turned to be a favourite for younger kids.

On this page you can find lyrics in two versions, a printable lyrics PDF file for free download and two sing-along videos of the song.

Contents

Printable Lyrics PDF

Click on the button to download a PDF file with lyrics to this song for free.

Lyrics

Μister rabbit mister rabbit
your coat is mighty grey
yes my friend I like it that way
every little soul must shine
every little soul must shine

Μister rabbit mister rabbit
your tails mighty white
better to see me in the cool black night
every little soul must shine
every little soul must shine

Μister rabbit mister rabbit
your ears are mighty fluffy
yes my friend Im a tough little bunny
every little soul must shine
every little soul must shine

Μister rabbit mister rabbit
your hoppin’ legs are long
yes my friend now sing your song
every little soul must shine
every little soul must shine
every little soul must shine
every little soul must shine

Lyrics (Pete Seeger’s version)

Mr rabbit, Mr rabbit, your ears are mighty long
Yes, don’t you know they were put on wrong
Every little souls gonna shine shine
Every little souls gotta shine along

Mr rabbit, Mr rabbit, your nose always twitches
Yes, don’t you know it always itches
Every little souls gonna shine shine
Every little souls gotta shine along

Mr rabbit, Mr rabbit, your tail’s so tight
Yes, don’t you know it was put on right
Every little souls gonna shine shine
Every little souls gotta shine along

Mr rabbit, Mr rabbit, well where have you been?
Down to Mr Angelo’s garden
Every little souls gonna shine shine
Every little souls gotta shine along

Mr rabbit, Mr rabbit, oh what do you eat?
Carrots and cabbages from my head to my feet
Every little souls gonna shine shine
Every little souls gotta shine along

Mr rabbit, Mr rabbit, your ears are so long
Yes, don’t you know they were put on wrong
Every little souls gonna shine shine
Every little souls gotta shine along