Dancing Bear lyrics

Song information

Artist: The Mamas & the Papas
Album: The Mamas & The Papas

Lyrics

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)
Whose 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...)