At The Zoo
Simon & Garfunkel Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Someone told me it's all happening at the zoo

I do believe it
I do believe it's true

It's a light and tumble journey
From the East Side to the park
Just a fine and fancy ramble
To the zoo

But you can take the crosstown bus
If it's raining or it's cold
And the animals will love it if you do
If you do, now

Somethin' tells me it's all happening at the zoo

I do believe it
I do believe it's true

The monkeys stand for honesty
Giraffes are insincere
And the elephants are kindly but they're dumb
Orangutans are skeptical
Of changes in their cages
And the zookeeper is very fond of rum

Zebras are reactionaries
Antelopes are missionaries
Pigeons plot in secrecy
And hamsters turn on frequently
What a gas, you gotta come and see
At the zoo
At the zoo
At the zoo
At the zoo
At the zoo
At the zoo




At the zoo
At the zoo

Overall Meaning

"At the Zoo" is a song by Simon & Garfunkel that explores the theme of the zoo as a metaphor for society. The song begins with the singer being told that everything interesting is happening at the zoo, and then expressing his belief that this is true. The rest of the song details the different animals at the zoo and how they represent different aspects of human behavior.


The lyrics describe a journey from the East Side of Manhattan to the park where the zoo is located. The singer encourages the listener to take the crosstown bus if the weather is bad, and suggests that the animals will appreciate visitors even in bad weather.


The animals at the zoo are described as representing different characteristics of humans. For example, the monkeys are said to stand for honesty, while the giraffes are insincere. The elephants are kindly but dumb, and the orangutans are skeptical of changes in their environment. The zookeeper is described as being fond of rum.


The song concludes by mentioning several other animals at the zoo, including zebras, antelopes, pigeons, and hamsters. The singer encourages the listener to visit the zoo and see everything for themselves.


Overall, "At the Zoo" is a playful and whimsical song that uses the zoo as a lens through which to examine the quirks and foibles of human nature.


Line by Line Meaning

Someone told me it's all happening at the zoo
I heard from someone that the zoo is a lively place to be


I do believe it
I trust what I've heard


I do believe it's true
I have no reason to doubt what I've been told


It's a light and tumble journey
Getting to the zoo is a carefree and enjoyable experience


From the East Side to the park
The journey to the zoo goes through different parts of the city


Just a fine and fancy ramble
The trip to the zoo is pleasant and luxurious


To the zoo
The destination is the zoo


But you can take the crosstown bus
If the weather is bad, there is a bus that goes to the zoo


If it's raining or it's cold
The bus is a good option for bad weather


And the animals will love it if you do
The animals will appreciate visitors coming to see them


If you do, now
Consider taking the bus to the zoo


Somethin' tells me it's all happening at the zoo
I have a feeling that the zoo is a happening place


The monkeys stand for honesty
Monkeys are seen as truthful creatures


Giraffes are insincere
Giraffes are seen as dishonest


And the elephants are kindly but they're dumb
Elephants are gentle creatures, but not very intelligent


Orangutans are skeptical
Orangutans are hesitant to accept change


Of changes in their cages
They are wary of any modifications to their living space


And the zookeeper is very fond of rum
The zookeeper enjoys drinking alcohol


Zebras are reactionaries
Zebras resist change and prefer things to stay the same


Antelopes are missionaries
Antelopes are seen as determined and committed


Pigeons plot in secrecy
Pigeons are thought to have secret dealings or schemes


And hamsters turn on frequently
Hamsters are known for their frequent activity levels


What a gas, you gotta come and see
The zoo is a fun and entertaining place to visit


At the zoo
All of these animals and experiences can be found at the zoo


At the zoo
The zoo is the focus of the song


At the zoo


At the zoo


At the zoo


At the zoo


At the zoo


At the zoo




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: PAUL SIMON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

Iva Ivana Hild

Is amazing

Elle Pennell

If Artie wasn't singing I wouldn't like it.

luke jackson

Who

More Versions