Ah, the buzzard took the monkey for a ride in the air
The monkey thought that everything was on the square
The buzzard tried to throw the monkey off his back
The monkey grabbed his neck and said, "Now listen, Jack"

Straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and fly right
Oh cool down, papa, don't you blow your top

Ain't no use in divin'
What's the use of jivin'?
Straighten up and fly right
Yea, cool down papa, don't you blow your top

Well, the buzzard told the monkey, "You're chokin' me
Release your hold and I'll set you free"
The monkey looked the buzzard right dead in the eye and said
"Your story's touching but it sounds like a lie"

Straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and fly right
Oh, cool down papa, baby cool down

Well, the buzzard told the monkey, "You're chokin' me
Release your hold and I'll set you free"
The monkey looked the buzzard right dead in the eye, said
"Your story's touching but it sounds like a lie"

Ooh, straighten up and fly right
Straighten up, straighten up, straighten up
Straighten up, fly right
Papa, cool down papa, cool down

Straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and fly right
Oh, cool down papa, don't you blow your top
And fly right