So, I’m Googling the lyrics to the classic one-hit wonder, “Judy in Disguise (with glasses)” by John Fred and His Playboy Band. I checked a couple of sites and got the same line:
“Keep a-wearin’ your bracelets
and your new rara”
What the heck is a rara?
In my corner of the world, a rara is a skirt which has about three or four layers of ruffles on it. From memory they were pretty popular in the mid-80’s.
I had a hot pink one.
But Judy in Disguise is a 60’s song.
Maybe ra(h)ra(h)s are pompoms, like cheerleaders use?
Rara skirts could have been popular in the 60’s and had a revival in the 80’s.
But I don’t know, being born in the 70’s and all.
Hmm, it sounds like “tiara” to me, not “new rara”. A tiara is a type of jewelry, and so fits with the bracelets in the previous line. Could one site have gotten the lyrics wrong, and the others have been copying?
I don’t know what a “rara” is, but it’s a long way to tip one.
I am suspect of the lyrics correctness. I swear I hear a “k” sound in that line.
Also, there’s this line:
“Chimney sweep sparrow with guise”
Granted the song is a parody of the psychadelic songs of the times, but the “with guise” bit doesn’t make any sense.
Rara avis: a rare bird.
jayjay is close. In the 60’s, “rah-rahs” were a name for the black and white saddle shoes most cheerleaders wore at the time.
LOL. Nicely done - you beat me to it!
I always thought that a “Rara” should be worn with a “Sis-boom-bah” in a cheerleading ensemble, if that helps any.