Lyrics Burl Ives – Bongo And His Baboon Drum

Poor little bongo
Bongo lost his drum

Bongo lived in the Belgian Congo
Bongo lived near the yellow sun

Monkeys tangoed through the treetops
Lions leaped in the yellow sun
Elephants danced among the plants
When the bamboo drum went rum tum tum

Life was grand in the Belgian Congo
Life was gay and full of fun
Till one day in the month of may
A big baboon ate bongo’s drum

Poor little bongo
Pity little bongo
Bongo lost his drum

Bongo wept and bongo cried
Cried because he lost his drum
Elephants, lions, and monkeys said «Big baboon what have you done»
Big baboon then hung his head «I eat bongo’s drum» He said
«But tell bongo not to cry, I will be his drum instead»

Bongo laughed and jumped for joy
Bongo beat a merry tune
Beat a tune on the big baboon
The big baboon went boom boom boom

Happy little bongo
Lucky little bongo
Bongo found his drum

Monkeys tangoed thought the treetops