One fine day as I was walking down the street I spied a beggar man with rags upon his feet Took a penny from my pocket in his tin cup I did drop it And I heard him say as I made my retreat May the bird of paradise fly up your nose may an elephant caress you with it's toes May your wife be plagued with runners in her hose May the bird of paradise fly up your nose My laundry man is really on his toes found a hundred dollar bill among my clothes When he called me I came running gave him back his dime for phoning And I heard him saying as I turned to go May the bird of paradisee... I was way behind one day to catch a train The taxi driver said we'll make it just the same A speed cop made it with us and as he wrote out the ticket I stood by politely waitin' for my change