Digital Tradition Mirror

Marvelous Toy

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Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

Marvelous Toy
(Tom Paxton)

When I was just a wee little lad full of health and joy
My father homeward came one night and gave to me a toy
A wonder to behold, it was, with many colors bright
And the moment I laid eyes on it it became my heart's delight

  It went "zip" when it moved and "bop" when it stopped
    And "whirr" when it stood still
  I never knew just what it was and I guess I never will.

The first time that I picked it up, I had a big surprise
For right on its bottom were two big buttons that
  Looked like big green eyes.
I first pushed one and then the other, and then I twisted its lid
And when I set it down again, this is what it did:

It first marched left and then marched right
And then marched under a chair
And when l looked where it had gone, it wasn't even there:
I started to sob and my daddy laughed, for he knew that I would find,
When l turned around, my marvelous toy, chugging from behind.

Well, the years have gone by too quickly, it seems,
  I have my own little boy
And yesterday I gave to him my marvelous little toy.
His eyes nearly popped right out of his head
  And he gave a squeal of glee,
Neither one of us knows just what it is,
  but he loves it, just like me.

Written, printed, and recorded by Tom Paxton
Copyright Tom Paxton
SOF

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!