VICIOUS FISHES
Lyrics to ALL 20 Songs
all songs © KEN LONNQUIST 2010
1. Call My Mama
I call my mama, but she don’t call back
I call my mama, but she don’t call back
Stars are green, the sky is black, ‘cuz
I call my mama, but she don’t call back
Oh-oh, oh! I’m a kid, I’m all alone,
Oh-oh, oh! Lost in the great unknown
Oh-oh, oh! In a jungle overgrown
With nothin’ but a monkey and a cell phone
I call my mama, but she don’t call back
I call my mama, but she don’t call back
Stars are green, the sky is black, ‘cuz
I call my mama, but she don’t call back
Oh-oh, oh! Don’t know how I wound up here
Oh-oh, oh! Where’d my mama disappear?
Oh-oh, oh! My Indiana Jones career
Is dyin!’ I’m cryin’ crocodile tears
I call my mama, but she don’t call back
I call my mama, but she don’t call back
Stars are green, the sky is black, ‘cuz
I call my mama, but she don’t call back
​
Oh-oh, oh! The battery is runnin’ low
Oh-oh, oh! My hope is fading with its glow
Oh-oh, oh! Mama doesn’t answer so,
I gotta trust this crazy monkey and follow
I call my mama, but she don’t call back
I call my mama, but she don’t call back
Stars are green, the sky is black, ‘cuz
I call my mama, but she don’t call back
2. Here I Go
Here I go and I don’t know where
But I’m sure glad you’re sitting there
To keep me company
One step leads to another one
Once a journey has begun
Who knows where it leads?
Maybe we’ll go through the jungle
Maybe we’ll shoot the stars
Maybe we'll sail seven oceans
Discovering who we are…
​
Here I go and I don't know where...
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3. Vicious Fishes
Don’t go swimming with vicious fishes
They think kids make delicious dishes
Down their gullets they’d like to send you
Happy you came swimming on the menu
Beware of the shark, smiling in the dark
Their teeth are razor sharp ---
They leave a nasty ragged red mark!
Don’t go swimming with vicious fishes
Their big bellies have ambitious wishes
Have you over for lunch or dinner
They grow fatter as you grow thinner
Beware barracuda --- no fish could be ruder
In a hungry mood-a,
They’ll eat your snorkel and Bermudas!
Don’t go swimming with vicious fishes
They enjoy the nutritious squishes
Of a tasty young human morsel
Good for frontal fins and for dorsal
Beware of piranha! Eat meat is all they wanna
Monkey or iguana… or YOU!
They’d love to have a good chew!
Don’t go swimming with vicious fishes
Beware the pernicious swishes
Of their tails, all bent on whacking
You unconscious, and fit for snacking
Beware! Take care… out there…
4. Eucalyptus King
Kangaroo, Koala… Koala, Kangaroo
Way down in Australia, play didgeridoo
Dingo, Kookaburra… Kookaburra, Ding-
Goin’ to Australia, see the Eucalyptus King
In the Eucalyptus Forest one Koala is the King
All the others form a chorus. To the Emperor they sing
To be King of the Koalas it takes high koality
You can’t buy that throne with dollahs.
It takes brains and bravery!
Kangaroo, Koala… Koala, Kangaroo
Way down in Australia, play didgeridoo
Dingo, Kookaburra… Kookaburra, Ding-
Goin’ to Australia, see the Eucalyptus King
The growling echo in the outback is the King’s didgeridoo
Summoning his friends, who shout back: “We’re your loyal Kangaroos!”
Yes, the Kangaroos are loyal, jumping when the King commands
Any edict from a royal makes them spring like rubber bands!
Kangaroo, Koala… Koala, Kangaroo
Way down in Australia, play didgeridoo
Dingo, Kookaburra… Kookaburra, Ding-
Goin’ to Australia, see the Eucalyptus King
Kookaburra started flapping. Kookaburra sang it’s song
One day while the King was napping. Poor bird didn’t live too long!
Dingo howled in the moonlight woke the King. The King saw red.
Dingo learned a lesson that night: Don’t disturb a King in bed!
Kangaroo, Koala… Koala, Kangaroo
Way down in Australia, play didgeridoo
Dingo, Kookaburra… Kookaburra, Ding-
Goin’ to Australia, see the Eucalyptus King
​
​
5. Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina came blowin’ into New Orleans
Crashing ocean waves and sheets of rain
Weather whirling wild and rough broke the levee, tore the roofs
Waters rising, what a Hurricane!
The children, they weren’t fast enough! The parents, they weren’t fast enough!
The old folks, they weren’t fast enough! ‘Cause Hurricane Katrina was so rough!
Jazz musicians shed a tear ‘cause the clubs they love so dear
Were abandoned to the rising flood
Piano, bass and saxophone slide guitar, and old trombone
Even drums were silenced by the mud
The Bass players, they weren’t fast enough! Piano players weren’t fast enough!
Fiddlers, they weren’t fast enough! ‘Cause Hurricane Katrina was so rough!
People asked the President where the FEMA money went
Never saw a single cent arrive
Stranded in the Superdome or on the rooftops of their homes
Doin’ what they could to stay alive
FEMA wasn’t fast enough! “W” wasn’t fast enough!
His Mama wasn’t fast enough! ‘Cause Hurricane Katrina was so rough!
Gators were a-splashin’, twistin’ and a-thrashin’
Trying as they might to get away.
All along the Bayou water was so high, you
Had to swim to live another day.
All the Jambalaya with it’s spicy fire! All the Cajun gumbo recipes
All the tasty fixins the Creole chef’s were mixin’
In their pots and pans were washed away to sea
The Cajun, they weren’t fast enough! The Creole, they weren’t fast enough!
The pots and pans weren’t fast enough! ‘Cause Hurricane Katrina,
Hurricane Katrina was so rough
So rough, Hurricane Katrina, So rough, Hurricane Katrina
​
6. South America
Listen up! There’s lots to know about the countries down below
In South America... Sur America...
If I tried to tell you all I know I’d drive you up the wall
With South America... South America...
Brasilia, Brazil that's the biggest country
The most humongous rainforest you will find
It supplies lots of oxygen it’s true and the
Amazon river's the largest that winds
In Argentina the people will tango
In old Buenos Aires accordions play
They grow bananas and coffee and mangos
And eat them while dancing to music all day
Listen up! There’s lots to know about the countries down below
In South America... South America...
I won’t keep you in suspense. The list of highlights is immense
In South America... South America...
Santiago is the capital city
Of Chile, the copper coast, sea aqua blue
In Venezuela the town of Caracas
Maracas are playing all day long, it’s true!
Lima, Peru---the world leader in fishing
Folk music is popular, flutes and guitars
La Paz, Bolivia---the highest capital
Beautiful place, que bonito lugar!
Beaches, mountains, jungles... in Ecuador
Ancient Incan cities... Peru has more
Where do they grow coffee? Columbia!
What’s the capital there? Bogota!
Listen up! There’s lots to know about the countries down below
In South America... South America...
But why simply sit around? Pack your bags! Let’s go on down
To South America... South America...
South America... South A-mer-i-caaaaa!
I know! Comprendo! Let’s go-go-go! Vamonos!
7. Ukulele Man
I play the ukulele in the Yucatan
Just for tips, no benefits or dental plan
Ships come sailing daily to the Mayan land
Ukulele, Yucatan, Moon, Papaya, playa sand,
Yummy yellow mangoes and toothless U-kulele Man
I smile a mile wide and people plainly see
Not flossing any cost me many cavities
I rushed and never brushed with regularity
Ukulele, Yucatan, Moon, Papaya, playa sand,
Yummy yellow mangoes and toothless U-kulele Man
Listen to the whistlin’ music underneath
All the gaps & silver caps upon my teeth
I’ve a wisp of lisp, to say the very least
Ukulele, Yucatan, Moon, Papaya, playa sand,
Yummy yellow mangoes and toothless U-kulele Man
You can plan a Yucatan escape with me
Playing ukuleles gaily by the Sea
A sentimental dental hygiene melody
Ukulele, Yucatan, Moon, Papaya, playa sand,
Yummy yellow mangoes and toothless U-kulele Man
8. Five Little Dogs
Five little dogs, all night long
Barking in the moonlight
Wake up Mister Sleepy-head
Chase one down - woof! Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof!
Doesn’t want no Barkin’ doggie around
And so he chase the doggie a-
Chase he doggie a-
Chase the doggie away!
Four little dogs, all night long
Barking in the moonlight
Wake up Mister Sleepy-head
Chase one down - woof! Woof! Woof! Woof!
Doesn’t want no Barkin’ doggie around
And so he chase the doggie a-
Chase he doggie a-
Chase the doggie away!
Three little dogs, all night long
Barking in the moonlight
Wake up Mister Sleepy-head
Chase one down - woof! Woof! Woof!!
Doesn’t want no Barkin’ doggie around
And so he chase the doggie a-
Chase he doggie a-
Chase the doggie away!
Two little dogs, all night long
Barking in the moonlight
Wake up Mister Sleepy-head
Chase one down - woof! Woof!
Doesn’t want no Barkin’ doggie around
And so he chase the doggie a-
Chase he doggie a-
Chase the doggie away!
One little dogs, all night long
Barking in the moonlight
Wake up Mister Sleepy-head
Chase one down - woof!
Doesn’t want no Barkin’ doggie around
And so he chase the doggie a-
Chase he doggie a-
Chase the doggie away!
9. Hairy Potter
I spin the wheel the live-long day tossing pots of earthen clay
Dawn to dusk, cradle to grave with never a haircut or a shave
I am the hairy Potter
It says so on my letter-box. A few years back, a wee one knocks
Upon my door and asks of me if it be true that I be he?
“Of course!” says I, and off he ran to spread the news, and thus began
An endless, shuffling, odd parade of people peering through my shade
To see the hairy Potter
I never dreamed I’d see a mass of noses pressed against the glass
Of my windows night and day to marvel at me shaping clay!
They call it magic when I take a moistened lump and from it make
A cup or bowl. The wheel spins. A shape appears! They drop their chins.
I am the hairy Potter
With a hey, derry dum-dum, diddle-um day I spin the wheel, I moisten the clay
Hey, derry dum-dum, diddle-um day!
Round and round, no time for a snip, or a clip, or a shave
My forehead bears a ragged scar from a broken pottery jar
People gasp, “It’s just the sort we heard you got from Voldemort!"
"Voldy-who?" I ask. "Oh, come!" they cry, as if I'm playing dumb.
"He-whose-name-cannot-be-named!" They point and whisper, eyes aflame,
“You are the Hairy Potter!”
With a hey, derry dum-dum, diddle-um day I spin the wheel, I moisten the clay
Hey, derry dum-dum, diddle-um day!
Round and round, no time for a snip, or a clip, or a shave
Crowds come in the pottery store mumbling words like ‘Dumbledore”
“Polyjuice” and “Sorting Hat” (whatever it is they mean by that!)
I don’t care! I toss and spin my pots and bowls and grow my chin
Happy they’ll pay a hefty price for any hand-made merchandise
Made by the hairy Potter
And who’s the Hairy Potter?
I am the Hairy Potter
10. Butterfly
There was an egg stuck on a leaf up in a tree
So small it was difficult to see
High in the branches it hung and swung about
Until it opened and a fuzzy bug crawled out
Singin’ mmm, mmm... a little caterpillar
Mmm, mmm... changin’ everyday
Mmm, mmm... keep your eye upon it
It’s gonna be a butterfly one day!
It’s tummy growled for something good to eat
It spied a leaf juicy, green and sweet
In fact the tree had all the leaves a bug could want
Just like living in a tree house restaurant
​
Singin’ mmm, mmm... a little caterpillar
Mmm, mmm... changin’ everyday
Mmm, mmm... keep your eye upon it
It’s gonna be a butterfly one day!
One day it wove itself a chrysalis
To undergo a magic metamorphosis
After many days and nights went by
It came out as a soggy butterfly
​
Singin’ mmm, mmm... a little caterpillar
Mmm, mmm... changin’ everyday
Mmm, mmm... keep your eye upon it
It’s gonna be a butterfly one day!
Upon a leaf in the sun it dried its wings
Flew away and gathered tasty things
Pollen, seeds and nectar sweet
Laid its eggs, a life-cycle complete
​
Singin’ mmm, mmm... a little caterpillar
Mmm, mmm... changin’ everyday
Mmm, mmm... keep your eye upon it
It’s gonna be a butterfly one day!
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11. Living In A Circle
Living in a circle, living in a circle
Together forever, living in a circle
Seasons go around in a circle
Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall
The world goes around in a circle, too
Spinning every day like a ball
Living in a circle, living in a circle
Together forever, living in a circle
Life is a slow-turning circle
We’re born, we live, and we die
Kids grow grey as the seasons turn
Wrinkles circling their eyes
La vida en la vuelta, la vida en la vuelta,
Juntos siempre, la vida en la vuelta
Living things belong in the circle
Nature, by nature, is good
Every heart a part of the web of life
Air, water, mountain and wood
Living in a circle, living in a circle
Together forever, living in a circle
All living things belong in the circle
Everyone singing their part
The wolf, by the light of the silvery moon
Howls out the song in its heart
Living in a circle, living in a circle
Together forever, living in a circle
12. Hey, Hound Dog!
Well, hey, hound dog! You’re a pretty funky guy!
The way you wag your wager, I don’t even want to try!
You follow me to school, then you follow me back home
And then you sit and chew on your b-b-b-b-bone
You like to chase me when I ride my bi-yi-yi-yi-yike
‘Cause that’s the kind of game that-a you really like!
Hound dog! (Bow-wow-wow-wow)
Hound dog! (Bow-wow-wow-wow)
Hound dog! (Bow-wow-wow-wow)
Hound dog! (Bow-wow-wow-wow)
You like to lick my ice cream cone, you’re such a little hog
Hound dog! (Bow-wow-wow)
13. Dragon's Snout Snuffed
A fire-breathing Dragon lived under a bridge in a lost kingdom far away
His favorite food was spaghetti and kids so the kids wisely ran far away
The Dragon grew weary of pasta, no meat and longingly licked on the bones
Kept in a pile, still savory and sweet with the juice of the meals he’d once known
Early one morning out of the mist a Unicorn came prancing by
Said the meat-thirsty Dragon, smacking his lips, “In my Dragon-fires you’ll fry!”
Yo ho! Run little Unicorn! Yo ho! Run far away
Yo ho! Run little Unicorn! Run like the wind while you may
Bridge timbers trembled, he bellowed & roared. Cruel lips smacking, he hissed,
“Meat and spaghetti I’ll savor once more… Though kids are a flavor I’ll miss.”
The desperate Unicorn hatched an idea inspired by reflections below
In the still water pooled under the bridge. She knew dragons tend to be slow
“Psst!” she confided, “You’re really in luck! Look! In the pool down there…
A water-bourn Unicorn ready to pluck! They’re the tastiest and the most rare!”
Yo ho! Fib little Unicorn! Yo ho! Fib and parlay
Yo ho! Fib little Unicorn! Fib for your life while you may
She said, “If it’s Unicorn you wish to eat the water-bourn Unicorn’s best!
Put your snout in the water! Their savory meat is sweeter, by far, than the rest!”
His nostrils flared red. He thrust his head deep He opened his jaws for a bite
The instant he did his snout-fires were snuffed and snuffed nostrils can’t reignite
Dragons are fussy in matters of meat. With noses upturned they will spurn
Any least morsel, the tenderest treat if not fully blackened and burned
So he slunk away, head hung in defeat resigned to eat flowers and ferns
The Unicorn lived, and our story’s complete, for the wandering children returned!
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14. Irish Dancer
I am an Irish dancer. I never move my arms.
Above the waist you’ll find that I am quite devoid of charm.
But furiously flailing feet below my waist
Belie the cold, impassive look that’s frozen on my face.
Lord of the dale, lord of the dance
Lord of the men in fancy pants
A-tippity-toe, wherever I go
My wrists are stapled to my pants
I am an Irish dancer. A ramrod for a spine.
Pinned against my rack of ribs my arms are rigidly confined.
But below my bonnie waist your peepers shall behold
The greatest furiousity of footwork ever extolled
Lord of the dale, lord of the dance
Lord of the men in fancy pants
A-tippity-toe, wherever I go
My wrists are stapled to my pants
I am an Irish dancer. The ballet lovers sniff:
“He’s half a whirlin’ dervish and the other half a bloody stiff!”
Like a duck upon a pond: serenity I show…
Unruffled up above, but paddlin’ like all hell below!
Lord of the dale, lord of the dance
Lord of the men in fancy pants
A-tippity-toe, wherever I go
My wrists are stapled to my pants
I am an Irish dancer. I’ve half a mind to quit
My top’s come to a stop but still, my throbbin’ bottom will not sit.
Like Ireland itself, I’m divided head to toe:
I’m Catholic above the waist and Protestant below!
Lord of the dale, lord of the dance
Lord of the men in fancy pants
A-tippity-toe, wherever I go
My wrists are stapled to my pants
15. Emily
Emily, Emily, you’re everything
A best friend could ever be!
You’re always there beside me
When I need a helping hand
Your smile’s my umbrella
Rain or shine, you’re my best friend!
I wish everyone could find
A friend who’ll always be
At their side through thick and thin
The way it is for me
Emily, Emily, you’re almost perfect,
That’s close enough for me
16. Fluttery
Well, God rolled out of bed one day - Long time long gone by!
Scratched himself in the usual way - Long time long gone by!
Said, "Gonna make me a brand new world! - Long time long gone by!
Fill it up w/ little boys and girls!" - Long time long gone by!
One day down, 6 more to try, - Long time gone by!
He said first thing: "Let there be light!"
"Seperate the daytime from the night"
Made the land and then the sea
Mountains, rivers, lakes and trees
He made th animals & th birds - Long time long gone by!
Sweetest songs you ever heard - Long time long gone by!
Fish to swim where waters flow - Long time long gone by!
All the colors of the rainbow - Long time long gone by!
3 days down, 4 more to try, - Long time gone by
God looked around the world and smiled
It was a lovely place for every child
Then for his finishing touch
He made the flowers we love so much!
Now the flowers looked pretty in the ground - Long time long gone by!
And he thought, "What if they could move around?" - Long time long gone by!
So he flung some petals up in the air - Long time long gone by!
They fluttered around and 'round up there - Long time long gone by!
5 days down, 2 more to try, - Long time gone by
Watching petals flutter by
He said, "That's the name I'll call you by
"'Flutterby'... flower of the air
Pretty this world up everywhere!"
Then somehow someone mixed it up - Long time long gone by!
Saw a flutterby sittin' on a buttercup - Long time long gone by!
Took the 'f' and the 'b' and swapped the sound - Long time long gone by!
And the flutterby's name got twisted 'round - Long time long gone by!
Seven days, God shrugged and then---he sat and scratched himself again
Long time long gone by! Long time long gone by! Long time long gone by!
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17. Decimal Cat
Decimal Cat never got fat
Ate up to a point, and that was that
Fraction Kitty, sittin’ pretty
Never ever ate the whole thing, did he?
Went fishin’, caught himself a salmon
Made a sandwich, cheese, lettuce and ham ‘n
Cut it up in half and then
He shared his ham ‘n salmon sandwich with a friend
Each got half, none got whole
None got fat, but each got full
What a good lookin’ cat he was, too!
Caught a tuna, swallowed up it’s tail
Put the other portion in a pail
Ate a fifth, saved the rest
For the pretty little kitty he liked best
Ate point-two, saved point-eight
To share point-four on a midnight date!
Nabbed a rainbow trout, and started nibblin’
Neighbor cats droolin’ and dribblin’
Longed to have a bit of fish
Fraction Kitty glad to share his dish
26 bites, two apiece
13 cats at a feline feast
18. Lamplighter
When I was just a little boy and frightened by the dark
My mama struck a story up that flickered like a spark
A spark I kept within my dreams at night-time
And in my heart by day
And when the shadows of the evening came, she’d say
There was an old Lamplighter always walked from town to town
To light the cold streetlamps as the sun was goin’ down
Chasing off the dark and fearful shadows
So that we could see
And I began to drift to sleep at night whispering:
Ooh, Lamplighter... if you’re passing my house tonight
Ooh, Lamplighter... would you mind if I follow in your light?
I’d watch outside my window as the night was falling fast
Hoping I’d be awake when the Lamplighter went past
And that somehow I might learn the secret
So I could take my turn
And show the darkness just how bright my lamp can burn
Ooh, Lamplighter... if you’re passing my house tonight
Ooh, Lamplighter... would you mind if I follow in your light?
Ooh, Lamplighter... if you’re passing my house tonight
Ooh, Lamplighter... would you mind if I follow in your light?
When I was just a little boy and frightened of the dark…
19. Time Flies
Time flies
Whether you’re having fun or not
So laugh long, sing songs
With all the time you’ve got
No one ever really knows
How far the road we travel goes
A pocketful of time to use
How it’s spent is ours to choose
Time flies
Whether you’re having fun or not
So laugh long, sing songs
With all the time you’ve go
20. Grandmas & Grandpas
Grandmas & Grandpas are loving and kind
If you look closely at them you will find
Some have white hair and some have gray
And some are bald ‘cuz all their hair---zip---went away
Oh, I love ‘em, and wish we lived together
I love ‘em, and wish they’d live forever!
Forever together, my grandparents and me…
That’s the way that I wish it could be!
Some wear glasses and some use canes
Some drive cars and some fly planes
Some have nose hair and wrinkled skin
And heads with lots and lots of memories in
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Oh, I love ‘em, and wish we lived together
I love ‘em, and wish they’d live forever!
Forever together, my grandparents and me…
That’s the way that I wish it could be!
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Some tell stories and some are funny
Some feel rich even if they have no money
Some wear moustaches, some have beards
And some have hairs growin’ right out their ears
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Oh, I love ‘em, and wish we lived together
I love ‘em, and wish they’d live forever!
Forever together, my grandparents and me…
That’s the way that I wish it could be!
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They were the parents our parents had
They brought up our Moms and Dads
We’re sure lucky they’re here today
I hope they know we really mean it when we say
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Oh, I love ‘em, and wish we lived together
I love ‘em, and wish they’d live forever!
Forever together, my grandparents and me…
That’s the way that I wish it could be!