A-E-I-O-U (The Caterpillar Song/Who R U)/How Doth the Little Crocodile

Song Meaning

The lyrics open with a repetitive series of vowel sounds, "A-E-I-O-U," creating an almost abstract, rhythmic chant. This initial section feels like a phonetic exercise or a playful vocal warm-up. However, the mood shifts dramatically, introducing a vivid, unsettling portrait of a crocodile. A central tension emerges in the description of the "little crocodile." He is presented as meticulously grooming himself, working to "Improve his shining tail" and adorning "every golden scale." This self-adornment sets up a deceptive image of beauty or harmlessness, hinting at a creature of vanity or ritual. The craft truly shines in the ironic word choices used to describe the crocodile's predatory nature. Phrases like "cheerfully he seems to grin" and "gently smiling jaws" twist conventional pleasantries into something sinister. The crocodile's actions, as he "neatly spreads his claws" and "welcomes little fishes in," become chilling precisely because they are cloaked in such seemingly benign language. These lyrics are effective because they juxtapose an almost childlike simplicity with a sophisticated, dark narrative. The sudden transition from abstract vocalizations to the detailed, unsettling imagery of the crocodile forces a re-evaluation of the initial innocence. The poem's power lies in its ability to make the familiar act of predation feel insidious through the use of polite, almost welcoming descriptions for a deadly trap.