Go Wash an Elephant

(If You Wanna Do Something Big)
A popular song from 1927
Words by Art Terker
Music by J. Russel Robinson

The sheet music:

Go Wash an Elephant – Sheet MusicDownload

Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:

Go_Wash_An_Elephant – MIDIDownload

Lyrics

  1. “Papa, Papa, Papa” said little Willie McGurk
    “I’m big and strong and healthy, Pop
    Get me a job of work”
    “Willie, Willie, Willie,” said Papa winking his eye
    “If you’ve got big ambitions
    Here’s a job you oughta try

Chorus:
Go wash an Elephant if you wanna do something big
Go wash an elephant till he squeals like a pig
Dip the brush into the pail and make the water fly
Wash him in December and by April he’ll be dry
Go wash an Elephant if you wanna do something big
Scrub him till he does an Irish jig
Don’t settle down to married life
For after all what is a wife
Oh go wash an Elephant if you wanna do something big

Chorus:
Go wash an Elephant if you wanna do something big
Go wash an elephant till he squeals like a pig
Elephants are fragile things they have such tender skins
If you hang a bucket on him please use safety pins
Go wash an Elephant if you wanna do something big
Spray him till he’s sweeter than a fig
Don’t try to lengthen women’s skirts
Or figure out why grapefruit squirts
But go wash an Elephant if you wanna do something big

  1. “Papa, Papa, Papa I’m going down to the Zoo
    And start in washing right away
    Oh! what a job I’ll do”
    “Willie, Willie, Willie, look out don’t tickle his trunk
    If he’s annoyed he’ll step on you
    And you’ll feel awfully punk

Chorus:
Go wash an Elephant if you wanna do something big
Rub him with alcohol while you’re at it take a swig
Rub him North and rub him South then rub him East and West
It may take a week to rub the landscape off his chest
Go wash an Elephant if you wanna do something big
Scrub him till he rattles like a rig
Babe Ruth can surely swat a ball
But after all a ball is small
So, go wash an Elephant if you wanna do something big

Chorus:
Go wash an Elephant if you wanna do something big
If he objects to it you can put him in the brig
Manicure his dainty fingers, bless his little soul
Use the Mississippi river for his finger bowl
Go wash an Elephant if you wanna do something big
Box his little ears should he renege
Don’t ever try to get too rich
Or learn what makes a pimple itch
But go wash an Elephant if you wanna do something big