Holiday Folklore
I have had a tune in my head the past couple of weeks, “Here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping down the bunny trail, hippity, hopping Easter’s on its way.“ It is a song my mom would sing to me as a child.
Out of curiosity, I googled the song and learned that songwriters Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins wrote it, and it was first sung in 1950 by Melvin Shriner. The song was a success, but the writers had a bigger desire and went after the ultimate singer of all holiday songs, Gene Autry. Autry took the song to the top five in Billboard Country and Billboard 100, and he sang the song in a movie in his 1951 movie, “Hills of Utah.”
History of Peter Cottontail and Easter
Peter Cottontail started with Beatrix Potter in 1901 in her book The Tale of Peter Rabbit and his bunny sibling Cottontail. Beatrix’s tales of an ornery bunny who got into trouble with the farmers in the English countryside are still beloved favorites today.
Another writer, Thornton W. Burgess, New York Daily Times editor, wrote a book about Peter Rabbit who thought his name was too common and changed it to Peter Cottontail. By the end of the story, he realized he didn’t need to have a more distinguished and changed it back to Peter Rabbit.
The connection to Easter was noticed when the writers’ husband and wife, Otto and Priscilla Friedrich, wrote several children’s books. One of the books, “The Easter Bunny That Overslept,” connected the rabbit with oversleeping and not delivering the Easter eggs.
As things progressed over the years, producer/director Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr., and screenwriter Romeo Muller. They had created such TV shows as Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and Santa Claus is Comin to Town.”
The trio created “Here Comes Peter Cottontail.” Peter Cottontail is selected to be the Chief Easter Bunny, which causes jealousy between Peter and his archrival, January Q. Irontail. Casey Kasem did the voice of Peter Cottontail, and January Q. Irontail's voice was Danny Kaye. Once again, a popular TV special was created.
Now you know the story behind the song I sing and the connection between Peter Cottontail and Easter. As you celebrate this weekend, remember that the things you do with your family genuinely matter. Please take a few minutes and Google it like I did. Listen to the songs, read the stories, and enjoy learning the history.
Have a Happy Easter with your family, friends, and neighbors,
Lizzie
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