The Unicorn

Words and music by Shel Silverstein

A long time ago when the earth was green, 
There were more kinds of animals than you'd ever seen. 
They ran around free while the ark was being born, 
And the loveliest of them all was the Unicorn.

There were green alligators and long-necked geese, 
Some humpty-backed camels and some chimpanzees, 
Some cats and rats and elephants,
But sure as you're born,
The loveliest of them all was the Unicorn!



Now God saw some sinning and it gave him pain. 
And he said, "Stand back, I'm gonna make it rain." 
He said, "Hey Brother Noah, I'll tell you what to do: 
Build me a floating zoo."



And take some green alligators and long-necked geese, 
Some humpty-backed camels and some chimpanzees, 
Some cats and rats and elephants,
But sure as you're born, 
Don't you forget my Unicorn!

Old Noah was there to answer the call. 
He finished up the ark just as the rain began to fall. 
He marched in the animals, two by two, 
And he called out as they went through.



Hey Lord, I got your green alligators and long-necked geese, 
Some humpty-backed camels and some chimpanzees, 
Some cats and rats and elephants, 
But Lord, I'm so forlorn. 
I just can't see the Unicorns!

Then, Noah looked out through the driving rain, 
The Unicorns were hiding, playing silly games; 
Kicking and splashing while the rain was pouring down, 
Oh, those silly Unicorns.



There were green alligators and long-necked geese, 
Some humpty-backed camels and some chimpanzees, 
Noah cried, "Close the door cause the rain is pouring in, 
And we just can't wait for the Unicorns."

The ark started moving; it drifted with the tides. 
The Unicorns looked up from their rocks and they cried, 
And the waters came down and sort of floated them away. 
That's why you've never seen a Unicorn to this very day.
 
You'll see green alligators and long-necked geese, 
Some humpty-backed camels and some chimpanzees, 
Some cats and rats and elephants,
But sure as you're born,
You're never gonna see a Unicorn!

from: http://www2.tnweb.com/telina/uni/legend.htm    In some translations of the Bible, the Unicorn was the first animal Adam named. When Adam and Eve left paradise, the Unicorn went with them and came to represent purity and chastity. The Bible also offers an explanation about why the Unicorn has not been seen for so long. During the flood that engulfed the world for 40 days and 40 nights, Noah took two of each animal to safety; however, Unicorns were not among them. A Jewish folk tale mentions they were originally on board but demanded so much space and attention that Noah banished them.

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