Dancing Bear 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 our 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

(I dreamed I was a cabin boy

• Artist:The Mamas and The Papas
• Album:The Mamas & the Papas (1966)