A combination of factors went into this week's song.  Last Saturday, the 22nd, I took my children to the Oregon Zoo, and not only were the elephants out and about and being their normal charming selves, but one of them actually ran toward the Zoo Train when we road it, trumpet blaring, giving us all a thrill.  Then, I read in the recently Oregon Zoo newsletter that Packy's 46th (!) birthday is coming up.  And then, finally, I always have other animal dancing songs floating around in my head, particularly Sandra Boynton's “Philadelphia Chickens,” “Cows,” and “Rhinoceros Tap” (from her albums Philadelphia Chickens and Rhinoceros Tap, respectively).

So this week's song, “The Elephant Swing (Zoo Be Zoo Wop),” is a tribute to the Oregon Zoo and Packy.  Happy birthday, Packy!  Let's get swinging!

Lyrics:

My name is Packy, from the Oregon Zoo.

I bet you don't know what I like to do.

I'm grey and I'm fuzzy and I live on display,

But I do something special at the end of the day.

I'm an elephant, all right, and I do lots of elephant things,

But Portland, have you ever heard of an elephant who likes to swing?

(The elephants are tearing up the town,

You should see these big elephants really get down!)

Chorus:

See the elephant swing!  The elephant swing tonight!

The elephant swing!  These pachyderms are out of sight!

It's my 46th birthday, so it's time to dance.

Grab your partner and give it a chance.

I'll show you how it's done out in Asia-way,

As I raise my trunk and begin to play.

I'm an elephant, it's true, and you should hear me blow my horn.

I'll keep the party jumpin' from midnight to the early morn.

(When he grabs his trunk and starts to blow,

The animals wake up and get ready to go.)

Chorus:

See the elephant swing!  The elephant swing tonight!

The elephant swing!  These pachyderms are out of sight!

So now you've heard and now you've seen,

And now you know that Packy is the King of Swing.

With my trunk and my looks and my two best friends,

Life is a party that never ends.

I'm an elephant, oh yeah, and you can see me at the Zoo.

But when the Zoo lights go out and the keepers go home, I bet you know just what I'll do.

(The Zoo closes down 'round 6 p.m.,

But the swing party starts some time after then.)

Chorus:

See the elephant swing!  The elephant swing tonight!

The elephant swing!  These pachyderms are out of sight!

See the elephant swing!  The elephant swing tonight!

The elephant swing!  These pachyderms are out of sight!