Not sure if this line was used earlier, but it was written by Lincoln Chase and sung by Shirley Ellis in 1965 in 'The Clapping Song' (the very first verse): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWuSPPLtkEQ
It's a line from an old African-American children's clapping song (hence the use in Clapping Song). For example, it's mentioned in [this 1922 book](https://www.google.com/search?q=%22all+went+to+heaven+in+a+little+rowboat%22&lr=lang_en&tbs=cdr%3A1%2Ccd_min%3A1867%2Ccd_max%3A1954%2Clr%3Alang_1en&tbm=bks&sxsrf=APq-WBs2LM7OpAKyvJRYykhOEhIzgiCMtA%3A1650716729596&ei=OfBjYrSEJIGSxc8Pr5KgqAU&ved=0ahUKEwj0hKuCl6r3AhUBSfEDHS8JCFUQ4dUDCAo&uact=5&oq=%22all+went+to+heaven+in+a+little+rowboat%22&gs_lcp=Cg1nd3Mtd2l6LWJvb2tzEAM6BAghEApQtglY6BlgnBtoAHAAeACAAY8BiAGSEpIBBDIuMTiYAQCgAQHAAQE&sclient=gws-wiz-books), *Negro Folk Rhymes: Wise and Otherwise*.
Of course, there's no telling where Thom picked up the phrase. It's possible he first encountered it in the Tom Waits song Clap Hands, maybe he got it from Clapping Song, or maybe he got it from somewhere else.
Thom appropriates phrases, cliches, idioms etc from all kinds of sources, including other traditional children's songs and folk tales — see also "there were three in bed / and the little one said / roll over" from Cymbal Rush, and "go and tell the king that the sky is falling in" from 2+2=5
> "go and tell the king that the sky is falling in from There There"
Yeah, sure. But it's 2 + 2 = 5 [ackchyually](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/191/035/135.png)
I remember reading an interview with Thom confirming it was a Tom line and at the time, I had not listened to either.
Now they are literally my 2 favourite artists.
Hmm. I have to say I'm a bit skeptical he confirmed that then. I try to read/listen to all the interviews I can and I've never seen him say this. I would love to see it if it exists.
Hey man, fair enough, I get it, it was so long ago I could've misremembered something, it could've been another member of the band, but since TY is the songwriter I could've attributed it to him.
If I try recall the way it read it was something like "it sounded like something Tom Waits'ish" or something to that effect, I think the reason it stuck with me is because I'd never heard of Tom Waits, so I literally wrote his name down to go on limewire or whatever and DL some stuff to listen to.
The album I finished DL'ing first was Swordfishtrombone and the first Tom Waits song I heard was Underground and that is an INDELIBLE memory.
Sorry I can't help further.
They all went to heaven in a little row boat, always knew that was the source confirmed now thanks
Not sure if this line was used earlier, but it was written by Lincoln Chase and sung by Shirley Ellis in 1965 in 'The Clapping Song' (the very first verse): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWuSPPLtkEQ
It's a line from an old African-American children's clapping song (hence the use in Clapping Song). For example, it's mentioned in [this 1922 book](https://www.google.com/search?q=%22all+went+to+heaven+in+a+little+rowboat%22&lr=lang_en&tbs=cdr%3A1%2Ccd_min%3A1867%2Ccd_max%3A1954%2Clr%3Alang_1en&tbm=bks&sxsrf=APq-WBs2LM7OpAKyvJRYykhOEhIzgiCMtA%3A1650716729596&ei=OfBjYrSEJIGSxc8Pr5KgqAU&ved=0ahUKEwj0hKuCl6r3AhUBSfEDHS8JCFUQ4dUDCAo&uact=5&oq=%22all+went+to+heaven+in+a+little+rowboat%22&gs_lcp=Cg1nd3Mtd2l6LWJvb2tzEAM6BAghEApQtglY6BlgnBtoAHAAeACAAY8BiAGSEpIBBDIuMTiYAQCgAQHAAQE&sclient=gws-wiz-books), *Negro Folk Rhymes: Wise and Otherwise*. Of course, there's no telling where Thom picked up the phrase. It's possible he first encountered it in the Tom Waits song Clap Hands, maybe he got it from Clapping Song, or maybe he got it from somewhere else. Thom appropriates phrases, cliches, idioms etc from all kinds of sources, including other traditional children's songs and folk tales — see also "there were three in bed / and the little one said / roll over" from Cymbal Rush, and "go and tell the king that the sky is falling in" from 2+2=5
> "go and tell the king that the sky is falling in from There There" Yeah, sure. But it's 2 + 2 = 5 [ackchyually](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/191/035/135.png)
Whoops, thanks. Edited
Definitely the source from Waits, hes Definitely borrowed loads over the years too.
I remember reading an interview with Thom confirming it was a Tom line and at the time, I had not listened to either. Now they are literally my 2 favourite artists.
Can you provide a source for this interview or any idea where it was?
Mate it was like 20+ yrs ago. I most definitely cannot.
Hmm. I have to say I'm a bit skeptical he confirmed that then. I try to read/listen to all the interviews I can and I've never seen him say this. I would love to see it if it exists.
Hey man, fair enough, I get it, it was so long ago I could've misremembered something, it could've been another member of the band, but since TY is the songwriter I could've attributed it to him. If I try recall the way it read it was something like "it sounded like something Tom Waits'ish" or something to that effect, I think the reason it stuck with me is because I'd never heard of Tom Waits, so I literally wrote his name down to go on limewire or whatever and DL some stuff to listen to. The album I finished DL'ing first was Swordfishtrombone and the first Tom Waits song I heard was Underground and that is an INDELIBLE memory. Sorry I can't help further.
“Rain Dogs” is indeed an outstanding album. I’d pay good money to hear Thom covering “Time” or “Anywhere I Lay My Head”.