Heigh-Ho

Album: Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This might be called the song of industrious dwarfs, and is probably the best known song from the 1937 Walt Disney cartoon Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs; in the film it is sung by all seven of them on their way to work. Like the rest of the score it was composed by Frank Churchill (1901-42) with lyrics by Larry Morey (1905-71).
  • The sheet music credits "HEIGH-HO (The Dwarfs' Marching Song)" copyright 1938 by Bourne Inc., Assigned to Bourne Co of New York, 1961. The song has been covered by Mannheim Steamroller, among others, and it has even been known for people to sing it on their way to work! It also lends itself readily to parody. There is some suggestion that musically it may have been inspired by "The Happy Farmer, Returning From Work," a piano instrumental published by the German composer Robert Schumann in 1848.
  • Few songs are performed or even alluded to in legal proceedings, but the appearance of "Heigh-Ho" in a German court case was nothing to laugh about. In 2012, Wadim Golanev walked into the courtroom as a witness but walked out as an accused. The prosecutor was a dwarf; Silke Schoenfleisch-Backofen stands only three feet eight inches tall, and when she questioned Herr Golanev, he could only burst out laughing and into this song. He was issued a summons to appear before a judge the following month. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 3

Comments: 1

  • Zabadak from London, EnglandThis is often obliquely referred to in Terry Pratchett's "Discworld" series of comedy fantasy novels, where Dwarves would gather together...
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Macabre Mother Goose: The Dark Side of Children's Songs

Macabre Mother Goose: The Dark Side of Children's SongsSong Writing

"London Bridge," "Ring Around the Rosie" and "It's Raining, It's Pouring" are just a few examples of shockingly morbid children's songs.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Francesca Battistelli

Francesca BattistelliSongwriter Interviews

The 2011 Artist of the Year at the Dove Awards isn't your typical gospel diva, and she thinks that's a good thing.

Is That Song Public Domain?

Is That Song Public Domain?Fact or Fiction

Are classic songs like "Over The Rainbow" and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the public domain?

Todd Rundgren

Todd RundgrenSongwriter Interviews

Todd Rundgren explains why he avoids "Hello It's Me," and what it was like producing Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album.

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.