Tattoo Song (Daisy on My Toe

Many summer camps and Girl Scout troops sing this song:



What they often don't know is who wrote what is generally known as "There's a Daisy on My Toe." In fact, most seem to assume it's a folk song, handed down over so many years that no one remembers where it originated. It's time to correct that misconception.

In fact, "Tattoo Song" (the actual title) debuted in 1965 on a best-selling album by the Smothers Brothers, "Mom Always Liked You Best." Like most of the duo's cuts, it combines humor and music.



So who wrote it? A man who has been awarded an Emmy and two Grammys. A man who is an accomplished guitarist, comedian, artist, poet and author. His name is Mason Williams, and he is best known for ""Classical Gas," a huge hit in 1968 whose popularity has never waned in the decades since its release.

Williams received his two Grammy Awards for composing and performing "Classical Gas." At the time, he was head writer for the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, a groundbreaking, controversial and popular television variety show. For this work, he landed his Emmy.

Somehow, this song migrated from an album cut on a comedy album to the repertoire of summer camps far and wide. One side effect, which I am sure is not limited to my camp, is a fair number of counselors have actually gotten tattoos on their toes.