A Bushel and a Peck

Growing up my Nannie would always say to us grandchildren, "I love you bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck." Once we reached the age to repeat it, we would say it with her. She still says it today and we say right back.

It's funny now because the youngest in the family is convinced that it is "I love you a bushel and a puddle." Of course no one would correct him. It's his and Nannie's "thing."

You can purchase this HERE.

I didn't realize until a few years ago that this was actually a song. Many of you that had this phrase either told or sung to you growing up may not have realized it either. I thought it was something my Nannie just said to all of us. I also thought it was a Southern thing, but I guess if it's up for claiming we would! If you want to look it up, you can find it in the Broadway play "Guys and Dolls" or you can hear Doris Day singing it.

Here are the lyrics:

I love you, a bushel and a peck!
A bushel and a peck, and a hug around the neck!
A hug around the neck, and a barrel and a heap
A barrel and a heap, and I'm talkin' in my sleep.
About you.
About you!
About you!

My heart is leapin'!
I'm having trouble sleepin'!
'Cause I love you, a bushel and a peck
You bet your pretty neck I do!
Doodle, oodle, oodle.
Doodle, oodle, oodle.
Doodle oodle oodle oo.

I love you, a bushel and a peck
A bushel and a peck, go and beats me all to heck!
Beats me all to heck how I'll ever tend the farm
Ever tend the farm when I want to keep my
Arms - about you -
About you!
About you!

The cows and chickens
are goin' to the dickens!
'Cause I love you a bushel and a peck
You bet your pretty neck I do --

What are a bushel and a peck? Well, they are types of measurements. I looked it up to make sure and a bushel equals about 35 liters while a peck is about 9 liters. So, if you love someone "a bushel and a peck" you must love them a lot! :D

It's a cute song and fun to see where the phrase comes from, but it's not as special as having someone you love say it to you!