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.
(I'd rather be the gypsy, etc...)
All back from head to foot
(Camped at the edge of town)
From climbing in them chimneys
(The one who has the dancing bear)
And cleaning out that soot
(That follows him around)

I'd rather be the gypsy
(I wouldn't want to be a chimney sweep)
Camped at the edge of town
(All back from head to foot)
The one who has the dancing bear
(From climbing in them chimneys)
That follows him around
(And cleaning out that soot)