I'm Jake the Peg, deedle eedle eedle um,
With my extra leg, deedle eedle eedle um.
Wherever I go through rain and snow,
The people always let me know:
There's Jake the Peg, deedle eedle eedle um,
With his extra leg, deedle eedle eedle um.
The day that I was born, oh boy, my father nearly died.
He couldn't get my nappies on, no matter how he tried,
'Cause I was born with an extra leg, and since that day begun,
I had to learn to stand on my own three feet,
Believe me that's no fun.
I'm Jake the peg, deedle eedle eedle um,
With my extra leg, deedle eedle eedle um,
Wherever I go through rain and snow,
The people always let me know:
There's Jake the Peg, deedle eedle eedle um,
With his extra leg, deedle eedle eedle um.
I had a dreadful childhood, really,
I s'pose I shouldn't moan,
Each time they had a three legged race,
I won it on my own.
And also I got popular,
When came the time for cricket,
They used to roll my trousers up,
And use me for the wicket.
I'm jake the peg, deedle eedle eedle um,
With my extra leg, deedle eedle eedle um.
Wherever I go through rain and snow,
The people always let me know:
There's Jake the Peg, deedle eedle eedle um,
With his extra leg, deedle eedle eedle um.
I was a dreadful scholar,
I found all the lessons hard,
The only thing I knew for sure was three feet make a yard.
To count to ten I used my fingers,
If I needed more,
By getting my shoes and socks of,
I could count to twenty-four.
(Pause... count: 1 2 3 4 5...) To twenty-five!
I'm jake the peg, deedle eedle eedle um,
With my extra leg, deedle eedle eedle um.
Whatever I did they said was false,
They said 'Quick march,' I did a quick waltz.
Then they shouted at me 'Put your best foot forward.'
'But which foot?' I said.
'It's very fine for you, you only got a choice of two, but me!
I'm jake the peg, deedle eedle eedle um,
With my extra leg, deedle eedle eedle um.
About This Song
"Jake The Peg" is a deceptively cheerful novelty song that explores themes of physical difference, social acceptance, and finding identity through perceived abnormality. On the surface, it's a whimsical tale about a man born with three legs, but beneath the bouncing melody and nonsensical "deedle eedle" refrains lies a more complex meditation on how society treats those who don't conform to physical norms. The song's protagonist embraces his difference with apparent pride, yet the lyrics reveal undertones of isolation and the burden of constant public attention-he's simultaneously celebrated and othered wherever he goes. Harris's music hall-influenced delivery, complete with theatrical flourishes and a jaunty accordion-driven arrangement, masks the darker implications of being perpetually defined by one's physical characteristics. The repetitive, almost hypnotic chorus suggests both the protagonist's acceptance of his fate and the relentless nature of public scrutiny he faces. What made the song resonate was its ability to present disability and difference through a lens of humor rather than pity, though modern listeners might question whether this approach truly empowers or further marginalizes. The track's enduring appeal lies in its exploration of how we construct identity around what makes us different, wrapped in an irresistibly catchy package that made complex themes accessible to mainstream audiences. Ultimately, "Jake The Peg" functions as both entertainment and social commentary, reflecting mid-20th century attitudes toward physical difference while raising questions that remain relevant today.
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