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 careless 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