There was a day in September
As clear as I can remember
I was visiting Kingston town
And taking a look around

I saw a cute little fellow
Who was looking downhearted
When I asked what the matter could be
He stopped to tell the story

I had a little donkey
And he done got locked up
Pum pa lum (pum pa lum)
They stick him in the jail
And he ain't done nothing
Pum pa lum (pum pa lum)

Got him peeping through the bars
Like a little monkey
Pum pa lum (pum pa lum)
The folks all say
He been a real bad donkey
Pum pa lum (pum pa lum)

They say he's acting
Like there's rum in his hay
Pum pa lum (pum pa lum)
He wasn't drunk
He just wanna play
Pum pa lum (pum pa lum)

I hear they're gonna
Have a trial in the morning
Pum pa lum (pum pa lum)
I'm gonna tell the judge
That he ain't done nothing
Pum pa lum (pum pa lum)

La la la la la...

First he bumped Mrs. Mary
And then he bite the policeman
Turn and broke Mr. Webster's cart
Which was almost fallen apart

He started a little riot
But now there's peace and there's quiet
See how he done empty the street
Ain't no one to trip your feet

I had a little donkey
And he done got locked up
Pum pa lum (pum pa lum)
They stick him in the jail
And he ain't done nothing
Pum pa lum (pum pa lum)

Got him peeping through the bars
Like a little monkey
Pum pa lum (pum pa lum)
The folks all say
He been a real bad donkey
Pum pa lum (pum pa lum)

They say he's acting
Like there's rum in his hay
Pum pa lum (pum pa lum)
He wasn't drunk
He just wanna play
Pum pa lum (pum pa lum)