"Once I Caught a Firefly "

Stephen R Coffee ©2007

This children's song about that universal experience has become a favorite at jam sessions, as evidenced in the video. From The Cougar of Haycock Woods, by the Harley String Band.

 

Lyrics

Once I caught a firefly
I put him in a jar
I thought he’d be my flashlight
My little lucky star
But he wouldn’t eat my lettuce
He said I broke his heart
He said Oh, let me fly
Oh, let me shine

Once a firefly caught me
He took me to the park
He left me in a treetop
A swaying in the dark
But I couldn’t eat his ivy
And his mattress was too hard
I said Oh, let me fly
Oh, let me shine.

One night a million fireflies
Were dancing in my yard
That made a silent music
Of flashing yellow arcs
I ran to try and catch one
Got lost among the sparks
I said Oh, let me fly
Oh, left me shine