Dancing Bear

I wouldn't want to be a chimney sweep

All black from head to foot

From climbing in them chimneys

And cleaning out that soot

With a broom and ladder and pail

The darkened walls I scale

And far, and high, I see a patch of sky

I'd rather be the gypsy

(I'd rather be the gypsy)

Who's camped at the edge of town

(Camped at the edge of town)

The one who has the dancing bear

That follows him around

And he lifts his big foot up

He puts his big foot down

And bows, and twirls

And dances 'round and 'round

I found I was a cabin boy last night as I did dream

Bound upon a magic ship for a land I'd never seen

And the moon she filled our sails

And the stars they steered out course

And on our bow there was a golden horse

The queen eats fruit and candy; the bishop nuts and cheese

And when I am a grown man, I'll taste just what I please

The honey from the bee, the shellfish from the sea

The earth, the wind, a girl, someone to share these things with me

I wouldn't want to be a chimney sweep, etc

(I'd rather be the gypsy, etc)

(I dreamed I was a cabin boy, etc)