Each morning, a missionary advertises neon sign
He tells the native population that civilization is fine
And three educated savages holler from a bamboo tree
That civilization is a thing for me to see

So bongo, bongo, bongo, I don't wanna leave the Congo, oh no no no no no
Bingo, bangle, bungle, I'm so happy in the jungle, I refuse to go
Don't want no bright lights, false teeth, doorbells, landlords, I make it clear
That no matter how they coax him, I'll stay right here

I looked through a magazine the missionary's wife concealed (Magazine? What happens?)
I see how people who are civilized bung you with automobile (You know you can get hurt that
way Daniel?)
At the movies they have got to pay many coconuts to see (What do they see, Darling?)
Uncivilized pictures that the newsreel takes of me

So bongo, bongo, bongo, he don't wanna leave the Congo, oh no no no no no
Bingo, bangle, bungle, he's so happy in the jungle, he refuse to go
Don't want no penthouse, bathtub, streetcars, taxis, noise in my ear
So, no matter how they coax him, I'll stay right here

They hurry like savages to get aboard an iron train
And though it's smokey and it's crowded, they're too civilized to complain
When they've got two weeks vacation, they hurry to vacation ground (What do they do, Darling?)
They swim and they fish, but that's what I do all year round

So bongo, bongo, bongo, I don't wanna leave the Congo, oh no no no no no
Bingo, bangle, bungle, I'm so happy in the jungle, I refuse to go
Don't want no jailhouse, shotgun, fish-hooks, golf clubs, I got my spears
So, no matter how they coax him, I'll stay right here

They have things like the atom bomb, so I think I'll stay where I "ahm"
Civilization, I'll stay right here!

Overall Meaning

The song "Civilization" by Danny Kaye with The Andrews Sisters critiques the Western notion of "civilization" and the idea that so-called "uncivilized" societies need to be saved and civilized by the West. The lyrics mock the patronizing attitude of Western missionaries who try to convince native people that life is better in the Western world, with its bright lights, automobiles, and other technological advancements. The chorus of the song is a sarcastic repetition of the phrase "bongo, bongo, bongo," voiced by the "uncivilized" people who are being targeted by the missionaries.

The first verse of the song introduces the theme, as a missionary tries to sell the idea of civilization to the native population. In the second verse, the lyrics become more personal, as Kaye's character rejects the idea of leaving the Congo and returning to the West. He lists all the things he doesn't want, from false teeth to streetcars, and proclaims that he is happier in the jungle than he ever would be in a civilized society. In the final verse, the lyrics criticize the obsession with work and vacation in the Western world, contrasting it with the simple pleasures of jungle life.

Despite its humorous tone, the song raises serious questions about colonialism and cultural imperialism. By portraying the "civilized" West as pushy, materialistic, and unfulfilled, the song challenges the idea that Western culture is superior to other cultures. Instead of blindly accepting the idea that "civilization" is always better than "savagery," the song encourages listeners to think critically about what it means to be civilized and what the costs of such "civilization" might be.

Line by Line Meaning

Each morning, a missionary advertises neon sign
Every morning, a man representing religion and Western culture showcases a neon sign to attract the native population.

He tells the native population that civilization is fine
He conveys to the indigenous people that the lifestyle of the Western world is good and desirable.

And three educated savages holler from a bamboo tree
Three sophisticated locals shout from a tree made of bamboo.

That civilization is a thing for me to see
They express their desire to witness and experience the Western lifestyle.

So bongo, bongo, bongo, I don't wanna leave the Congo, oh no no no no no
Hence, I want to remain in Congo and not leave this place.

Bingo, bangle, bungle, I'm so happy in the jungle, I refuse to go
I prefer staying in the natural surroundings of the jungle and am content with my way of living.

Don't want no bright lights, false teeth, doorbells, landlords, I make it clear
I do not want the materialistic and artificial Western world, including electric lights, dental implants, doorbells, or landlords, and I am very explicit about it.

That no matter how they coax him, I'll stay right here
No amount of persuasion or lure would compel me to leave the place of my origin.

I looked through a magazine the missionary's wife concealed (Magazine? What happens?)
I happened to browse through a periodical that the missionary's spouse had kept hidden (What did you see, Dear?).

I see how people who are civilized bung you with automobile (You know you can get hurt that way Daniel?)
I observed the uncivilized behavior of people who attack others with vehicles (Do you understand the imminent danger, Daniel?).

At the movies, they have got to pay many coconuts to see (What do they see, Darling?)
At the cinema, people have to pay a significant amount of resources to watch films (What type of movies do they watch, Honey?).

Uncivilized pictures that the newsreel takes of me
These films usually display unsophisticated and derogatory images of my community.

So bongo, bongo, bongo, he don't wanna leave the Congo, oh no no no no no
Therefore, I have no intention to depart from Congo, under any circumstances.

Bingo, bangle, bungle, he's so happy in the jungle, he refuse to go
I am content in the tropics, and I am not willing to abandon it.

Don't want no penthouse, bathtub, streetcars, taxis, noise in my ear
The luxurious and noisy lifestyle of the urban world, which includes high-end abodes, cars, and transportation, does not appeal to me.

So, no matter how they coax him, I'll stay right here
I am firm in my decision to remain in the natural and modest environment of my home.

They hurry like savages to get aboard an iron train
People resembling uncivilized beings scramble to board a metallic train.

And though it's smokey and it's crowded, they're too civilized to complain
Despite the polluted air and congestion, they do not express their dissatisfaction as they consider themselves as 'cultured'.

When they've got two weeks vacation, they hurry to vacation ground (What do they do, Darling?)
As soon as they have limited free time, they hasten to their vacation spot (What activities they indulge, Love?).

They swim and they fish, but that's what I do all year round
They enjoy swimming, and fishing during their leisure time, while these are my routine activities the entire year.

So bongo, bongo, bongo, I don't wanna leave the Congo, oh no no no no no
Consequently, I would instead reside in Congo, and not leave it.

Bingo, bangle, bungle, I'm so happy in the jungle, I refuse to go
I adore living in the dense and overgrown forest, and I refuse to abandon it.

Don't want no jailhouse, shotgun, fish-hooks, golf clubs, I got my spears
The instruments of punishment, firearms, angling gears, and sports commodities don't interest me, as I am content with my hunting tools.

So, no matter how they coax him, I'll stay right here
As previously stated, I am resolved to stay in my abode, and they cannot persuade me.

They have things like the atom bomb, so I think I'll stay where I "ahm"
They have created lethal and heinous weapons like atomic bombs, and hence I prefer to stay where I am safe and away from such technology.

Civilization, I'll stay right here!
I prefer the ethnic and humble lifestyle of my village and would continue to reside here.

Contributed by Alexandra A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.