The Ugly Duckling
Mike Reid Lyrics

There once was an ugly duckling
In the past, there existed an unattractive duck

With feathers all stubby and brown
This duck had short and brown feathers

And the other birds in so many words said
The rest of the birds communicated to him indirectly

Oi! (Get out of town!)
They told him to leave and go far away

Oi mush! (Get out!)
They addressed him rudely and instructed him to go

Yeah, you! (Get out!)
They pointed at him and ordered him to depart

Move your aris (Get out of town!)
They used slang to tell him to leave immediately

And he went with a quack
He left while making duck noises

And a waddle and a quack
He left while walking like a duck and making duck sounds

And a flurry of eiderdown
Feathers from his body flew around as he left

There he went, waddle waddle
He moved with a distinctive duck-like walk

All on his Jack Jones
He was all by himself

And he didn't half have the hump
He was unhappy and angry about the situation

That poor little ugly duckling
A sympathetic description of the unattractive duck

Went wandering far and near
He roamed around looking for a new place

But every place they said to his face
They told him directly at every location

Here, do us a favour (Get out of here!)
They sarcastically asked him to leave politely

Cor, what a prawn (Get out!)
They compared him to an unattractive creature and told him to leave

Cop the boat race! (Get out!)
They insulted the appearance of his face and instructed him to go away

I can't stand it! (Get out of here!)
They expressed their impatience and annoyance and ordered him to leave the area

And he went with a waddle and a quack
He departed the place walking and making duck noises

And a waddle and a quack
He left while still walking and making duck sounds

And a very unhappy tear [?]
He was feeling miserable and upset, perhaps shedding a tear

Off he toddled all on his own
He went away by himself

Wondering if he was using the wrong soap or something
He questioned if there was something inherently wrong with him

Anyway the big old boy struck again
Someone or something unpleasant happened to him

All through the winter time
He remained hidden during the cold months of the year

He hid himself away
He concealed himself from the outside world

And ashamed to show his face
He felt embarrassed to reveal himself

Afraid what others might say
He feared the negative remarks from others

In his lonely clump of weeds
He stayed hidden in a bundle of vegetation, secluded and solitary

Until a flock of swans did spy him there
A group of swans came across him and noticed his presence

And very soon agreed
They made a unanimous decision

(You're a very fine swan indeed!)
They recognized and praised his true identity as a swan

Who you calling a swan cocker?
He was surprised and irritated about the swan's comment

Now turn it in otherwise I shall be compelled to hang one on your
He threatened to harm the swan physically

Beak!
The extension of the threat used a typical feature of a bird

So the top man of the swans said "Now play the game, son,
The leader of the swans encouraged him to participate willingly

Use your brains,
He advised him to think smartly

Take a look at yourself in the reflection of
He suggested examining himself in a specific location

The lake and you'll find that you are a swan.
He informed the duck that he was a swan, which he could see in the reflection of the lake

So he did. Lo and behold, he said "You are in order! Look at me,
He followed the advice and saw his true appearance as a swan

I am a swan. And don't I look delightful?
He was pleased with his newfound recognition and appearance

Look at my new white whistle and flute, TERRIFIC!
He boasted about his attractive features in a humorous way

I'm not such an ugly duckling
He no longer considered himself an unattractive duck but a beautiful swan

No feathers all stubby and brown
He had grown into an elegant bird with white plumage

For in fact these birds in so many words went
Other birds now praised him using indirect language

Cor, the best in town!
They declared him to be the most excellent bird around

Look at that! (The best!)
They pointed at him and showed admiration

What a mover! (The best!)
They were enthusiastic about his striking appearance and movements

Got a bit of guv'nor! (The best!)
They noticed the confidence that he exuded as a result of his newfound identity

(The best in town!)
They continued to praise him as the top bird in the area

Not a quack not a whack
He no longer sounded or looked like an unattractive duck

Nor a waddle or a quack
He no longer walked or made noises like a duck

But a glide and a whistle and a snowy white back
He now had an effortless and graceful movement style and a beautiful white feathered back

And a head held noble and high! (And a head held noble and high!)
He carried himself with a dignified and regal posture

Say who's an ugly duckling
This phrase now referred to someone else and not him anymore

Not I
He declared that he was no longer an unattractive duck, but a beautiful swan