Éléphant
Choirs Lyrics
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(Well, I seen a horsefly and I seen a dragonfly)
(Yeah, I seen a housefly, ha-ha-ha-ha)
Yeah, I seen all that too
I seen a peanut stand, heard a rubber band
I seen a needle that winked its eye
When I see a elephant fly (What d'you say, boy?)
I said when I see a elephant fly
I seen a front porch swing, heard a diamond ring
I seen a polka-dot railroad tie
But I be done seen 'bout ev'rything
When I see a elephant fly
I saw a clothes horse, he r'ar up and buck
And they tell me that a man made a vegetable truck
I didn't see that, I only heard
Just to be sociable, I'll take your word
I heard a fireside chat, I saw a baseball bat
And I just laughed till I thought I'd die
But I be done seen 'bout ev'rything
When I see a elephant fly
Well, I be done seen 'bout ev'rything
When I see a elephant fly (With the wings)
When I see an elephant fly
The lyrics to Choirs's song "Elephant" are a playful take on the idiom "when pigs fly", suggesting that the idea of seeing an elephant fly is just as absurd. The first verse starts with the question "did you ever see an elephant fly?", followed by the singer's response that they've seen various other things, including a horsefly, dragonfly, and housefly. The second verse continues with a list of things the singer has seen and heard, from a peanut stand to a needle that winked its eye. Despite all these wondrous things, the singer asserts that they haven't seen everything until they see an elephant fly.
The third verse takes a slightly more surreal turn with the mention of a clothes horse rearing up and bucking, and the rumor of a man making a vegetable truck. The singer admits that they haven't witnessed these things firsthand, but they'll take someone's word for it. The final verse returns to the repetition of the phrase "But I be done seen 'bout ev'rything / When I see a elephant fly", emphasizing the seemingly impossible nature of the idea.
Overall, the lyrics to "Elephant" are whimsical and playful, painting a picture of a world where anything is possible (except for flying elephants). The song is a lighthearted commentary on our expectations and limitations, and encourages us to find joy in the unexpected.
Line by Line Meaning
(Ha-ha-ha, did you ever see an elephant fly?)
Have you ever witnessed the impossible feat of an elephant defying gravity and soaring through the sky?
(Well, I seen a horsefly and I seen a dragonfly)
I have indeed witnessed the flight of these small winged creatures.
(Yeah, I seen a housefly, ha-ha-ha-ha)
I have even seen something as small and ordinary as a housefly.
I seen a peanut stand, heard a rubber band
I have witnessed the selling of peanuts on a street corner and heard the sound of a stretched rubber band.
I seen a needle that winked its eye
I have seen the optical illusion of a sewing needle appearing to wink due to its reflective surface.
But I be done seen 'bout ev'rything
Despite all these sightings, there is a limit to what I have seen and experienced.
When I see a elephant fly (What d'you say, boy?)
But if I were to see the impossible sight of an elephant flying, it would be a shock and disbelief to me.
I said when I see a elephant fly
I reiterate my statement of disbelief that I would have upon seeing an elephant fly.
I saw a clothes horse, he r'ar up and buck
I have seen a clothing rack suddenly tip over and cause a commotion.
And they tell me that a man made a vegetable truck
I have heard hearsay and rumors of a man who created a moving vehicle specifically for transporting vegetables.
I didn't see that, I only heard
I cannot confirm or deny the truth of the claim as I did not personally witness it.
Just to be sociable, I'll take your word
To maintain social harmony, I will accept your statement as truth without further investigation.
I heard a fireside chat, I saw a baseball bat
I have listened to a conversation by the fireplace and also witnessed the use of a baseball bat in a game.
And I just laughed till I thought I'd die
I found these experiences humorous to the point of extreme laughter.
Well, I be done seen 'bout ev'rything
Despite all the things I have seen, there are limits to what I can believe and accept to be true.
When I see a elephant fly (With the wings)
My disbelief would be amplified if this elephant were to somehow have wings and take flight.
When I see an elephant fly
I once again emphasize my shock and disbelief at the notion of seeing an elephant flying through the air.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NED WASHINGTON, OLIVER WALLACE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind