At the zoo
Simon And Garfunkel (The Definitive Simon And Garfunkel) Lyrics
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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
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
"At The Zoo" by Simon and Garfunkel is a whimsical and playful song that explores the eccentricities and personalities of various zoo animals. The song begins with the singer being told that everything exciting and interesting is taking place at the zoo. The singer responds with the repeated lines, "I do believe it, I do believe it's true" which suggests a child-like enthusiasm and eagerness to explore the zoo. The tone of the song is light and upbeat, encouraging the listener to come along on the "light and tumble journey" to the zoo.
The second stanza of the song illustrates the distinctive qualities of some of the zoo animals. For example, the monkeys "stand for honesty", while the giraffes are "insincere". The elephants are "kindly but they're dumb" while the orangutans are skeptical of any changes in their cages. These descriptions are not only humorous but also provide insight into the animals and how they might be perceived by human visitors.
The final stanza presents a series of declarations about the quirky behaviors of zoo animals. From zebras being "reactionaries" to hamsters turning on frequently, the song paints a picture of an unpredictable and exciting environment. The repetition of "At the zoo" throughout the song reinforces the idea that the zoo is the place to be.
Overall, "At The Zoo" is a lighthearted and fun song that celebrates the uniqueness of each zoo animal while encouraging listeners to come and experience it for themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Someone told me it's all happening at the zoo
I heard that everything exciting and worthwhile is going on at the zoo
I do believe it
I actually believe that statement to be true
I do believe it's true
I'm convinced that what I heard about the zoo is accurate
It's a light and tumble journey
The trip to the zoo is a fun and easy adventure
From the East Side to the park
The journey to the zoo is not far and can be accessed from the East Side of town
Just a fine and fancy ramble
The trip is enjoyable and has an element of luxury to it
To the zoo
The destination of this journey is, indeed, the zoo
But you can take the crosstown bus
If you don't feel like walking to the zoo, there are other transportation options available
If it's raining or it's cold
In case of inclement weather, taking the bus might be a better option
And the animals will love it if you do
The animals will be happy to see more visitors, regardless of how they arrived at the zoo
Somethin' tells me it's all happening at the zoo
I have a feeling that the zoo is where all the action is at
The monkeys stand for honesty
Monkeys are often seen as symbols of truthfulness and fairness
Giraffes are insincere
Giraffes can be seen as disingenuous or false in their actions or appearance
And the elephants are kindly but they're dumb
While elephants are gentle and sweet-natured, they may not be the smartest animals around
Orangutans are skeptical of changes in their cages
Orangutans, like many animals, are resistant to changes in their living environment and may take time to adjust
And the zookeeper is very fond of rum
The person in charge of the zoo has a strong affinity for alcoholic beverages, particularly rum
Zebras are reactionaries
Zebras are inclined to have traditional or conservative views
Antelopes are missionaries
Antelopes may be seen as having a strong sense of purpose or mission in life
Pigeons plot in secrecy
Pigeons, while often dismissed as unimportant, may have hidden motivations or plans
And hamsters turn on frequently
Hamsters have a tendency to engage in sudden, sometimes erratic behavior
What a gas, you gotta come and see
This is all so entertaining and amusing that you have to come witness it for yourself
At the zoo
All of this excitement is happening specifically at the zoo
At the zoo
This refrain emphasizes that the zoo is the focal point 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
@1mparcher
When I was in high school, I saw Simon and Garfunkel, my first concert ever. This song caught my ear and piqued my interest. I went and did my time in Vietnam as an infantry soldier. I was one of the few guys that liked to go to the mountains/jungles because we would see all kinds of animals, including snakes and monkeys. To lighten up intense situations, I would sing this song to the guys; of course, they thought I was nuts, but they all would laugh and relax a bit......Thank you, Simon and Garfunkel.
@blitheringape5321
piqued*
@1mparcher
@@blitheringape5321 Corrected!
@1mparcher
The animals could be vicious and had sharp teeth, were known to bite. I had my trusty M-16, advantage "grunt."
@ddebenedictis
Well Mike, not only did you serve your country, but you found a way to serve your fellow soldiers. Well done, sir!
@1mparcher
@@ddebenedictis, It's a situation you had to be there to grasp the complete humor, but thanks. I can't sing.
@nicoferreira1426
One of the most underrated songs by S&G - absolutely marvelllousss...
@vernots
Not a favorite of mine. Bouncy and fun at the beginning, but degrades into repetitive slog by the end.
@oppothumbs1
@@vernots Maybe I see your point but it's sublte and catchy and less pretentious and boring than Bridge over Boring waters. Better than the horrible The Fixer and Celcia and the 59th ave feelin groovy and corny song.
@joned1000
clever