One fine day as I was walking down the street
I spied a beggar man with rags upon his feet
Took a penny from my pocket in his tin cup I did drop it
And I heard him say as I made my retreat
May the bird of paradise fly up your nose may an elephant caress you with it's toes
May your wife be plagued with runners in her hose
May the bird of paradise fly up your nose
[ guitar ]
My laundry man is really on his toes found a hundred dollar bill among my clothes
When he called me I came running gave him back his dime for phoning
And I heard him saying as I turned to go
May the bird of paradisee...
[ steel ]
I was way behind one day to catch a train
The taxi driver said we'll make it just the same
A speed cop made it with us and as he wrote out the ticket
I stood by politely waitin' for my change