When I See an Elephant Fly
(Oliver Wallace, Ned Washington)
1941
I’ve seen a peanut stand, heard a rubber band
seen a needle that winked its eye
But I do believe I will have seen ev’rything
When I see a elephant fly.
I’ve seen a front porch swing, and heard a diamond ring
seen a polka-dot railroad tie.
But I do believe I will have seen ev’rything
When I see a elephant fly.
BRIDGE:
I’ve seen a clothes horse rear up and buck.
They tell me that a man had a vegetable truck.
I didn’t see that, I only heard.
But just to be sociable, I’ll take their word.
The other day by chance, I saw an old barn dance
So, I’m a gullible kind o’ guy.
But I do believe I will have seen ev’rything
When I see an elephant fly.
BRIDGE:
I’ve even heard a chocolate drop
went into a store, saw a bicycle shop
You can’t deny the things you see
But I know there’s certain things that just can’t be.
I’ve seen a garden walk, and a banana stalk
And a pig with an awful sty.
But I do believe I will have seen everything
When I see an elephant
When I see an elephant
When I see an elephant
Fly…
Originally sung by Cliff Edwards on the soundtrack for Disney’s fourth animated feature film, Dumbo. My arrangement builds on one that Tom Chapin showed me years ago.