<P> Milton Drake , one of the writers , said the song had been based on an English nursery rhyme . According to this story , Drake 's four - year - old daughter came home singing , `` Cowzy tweet and sowzy tweet and liddle sharksy doisters . '' ( Cows eat wheat and sows eat wheat and little sharks eat oysters . ) </P>
<P> Milton Drake , one of the writers , said the song had been based on an English nursery rhyme . According to this story , Drake 's four - year - old daughter came home singing , `` Cowzy tweet and sowzy tweet and liddle sharksy doisters . '' ( Cows eat wheat and sows eat wheat and little sharks eat oysters . ) </P>
where did the song mares eat oats come from
where did the song mares eat oats come from
English nursery rhyme
English nursery rhyme