"Pufferbillies" is a popular song written by Lee Ricks and Slim Gaillard in 1948, and most famously recorded by Tommy Dorsey. The song remains popular today as a children’s music standard. The opening lines of the song are: Down by the station, early in the morning, see the little pufferbillies all in a row. Notable covers of the song include Barney, The Wiggles and The Four Preps, whose version was a big hit for them in 1960.
The song itself is much older than 1948; it has been seen in a 1931 Recreation magazine.
Whether deliberately copied or not, the tune is very closely related to the chorus of Alouette, a French/Canadian folk song.
Song Lyrics
Down by the station
Early in the morning
See the little pufferbillies all in a row
See the Engine Driver
Turn the little handle
Puff, puff! Toot, toot!
Off We Go!
Episode Performances
- Jeff The Mechanic
- Romp Bomp A Stomp (episode)
Video Appearance
- Yummy Yummy (re-recording)
- Apples and Bananas (listed as "Little Pufferbellies")
Album Appearance
- Big Red Car
- Here Comes the Big Red Car*
- Apples and Bananas (album)