Title
The Unicorn
Date Original
1962 (Poem); 1968 (Song)
Description
The Unicorn is a folk song written by artist and poet Shel Silverstein as a poem. It was set to music by the Canadian folk band The Irish Rovers and released in 1968; it was one of their biggest hits. The song tells the story of why there are no Unicorns--explaining that they once existed, but they missed the Ark during the Great Flood.
Transcription
A long time ago, when the earth was green,
There was more kinds of animals than you've ever seen.
And they'd run around free when the earth was being born,
And the loveliest of 'em all was the unicorn.
There was green alligators and long-necked geese,
Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees.
Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born,
The loveliest of all was the unicorn.
Well now God seen some sinnin' and it caused Him pain.
And he said, "Stand back, I'm going to make it rain!"
He said, "Hey, brother Noah, I'll tell you what to do,
build me a floating zoo," "and take some of them".......
"Green alligators and long-necked geese,
Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees.
Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born.
Don't you forget my unicorns."
Well old Noah he was there and he answered the callin',
And he finished makin' the ark just as the rain started to fallin'.
Then he marched in all them animals two by two,
And he sung out as they went through,
"Hey lord,"
"I got your green alligators and long-necked geese,
Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees.
Some cats and rats and elephants, but Lord, I'm so forlorn,
I just can't see no unicorns!"
And Noah looked out through the driving rain,
The unicorns were hiding, playing sally games.
They were kickin' and splashin' while the rain was pourin',
Oh, the sally unicorns!
There was green alligators and long-necked geese,
Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees.
Noah cried, "Close the door 'cause the rain is just pourin',
And we just cannot wait for no unicorn!"
The ark started moving, and it drifted with the tide,
And the unicorns looked up from the rocks and they cried.
And the waters come down and sort of flooded them away,
That's why you never seen a unicorn to this very day.
But you'll see green alligators and long-necked geese,
Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees.
Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born,
You're never gonna see no unicorn!
Physical Description
7" record; 45 rpm Decca single sampler
Subjects
Music; Songs; Singers; Poetry
Contributor
Decca; Shel Silverstein; The Irish Rovers
Language
English
Identifier
MS.000996, "The Unicorn"
Resource Type
Sound
Collection
Lawrence E. Goughler collection, MS.000996
Publisher
Arkansas State Archives
Contributing Entity
Arkansas State Archives
Recommended Citation
The Unicorn, Lawrence E. Goughler collection, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Rights
Use and reproduction of images held by the Arkansas State Archives without prior written permission is prohibited. For information on reproducing images held by the Arkansas State Archives, please call 501-682-6900 or email at state.archives@arkansas.gov.
Disciplines
United States History
Loading...
Comments
I really just like this song a lot. Shel Silverstein is one of my favorite poets. I love the Irish Rovers. I also grew up with this as one of my lullabies. - John Freshour