Digital Tradition Mirror

The Thing

(This score available as ABC, SongWright, PostScript, PNG, or PMW, or a MIDI file)
Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

The Thing

As I was walking down the beach one bright and sunny day
I came across a great big box a-floating in the bay
I pulled it in and opened it up and much to my surprise
I discovered a ! ! !, right before my eyes
Oh, I discovered a ! ! !, right before my eyes.

I picked it up and went to town as happy as a king
I took it to a man I know who'll buy most anything
But this is what he hollered at me when I walked in his shop
Get out of here with that ! ! !, before I call a cop
Oh, get out of here with that ! ! !, before I call a cop.

I turned around and got right out, running for my life
But then I took it home with me and showed it to my wife
This is what she hollered at me when I walked in the door
Get out of here with that ! ! !, and don't come back no more.
Oh get out of here with that ! ! !, and don't come back no more.

I wandered all around the town until I chanced to meet
A hobo who was looking for a handout on the street.
He said he'd take most any old thing, he was a desperate man,
But when I showed him my ! ! !, he turned around and ran.
But when I showed him my ! ! !, he turned around and ran.

I wandered on for many years a victim of my fate
Until at last I chanced to meet St Peter at the gate
But when I tried to take it inside he told me where to go
Get out of here with that ! ! !, and take it down below.
Oh get out of here with that ! ! !, and take it down below.

The moral of this story is: if you're out on the beach.
And you should see a great big box, and it's within your reach.
Don't ever stop and open it up, that's my advice to you,
'Cause you'll never get rid of the ! ! !, no matter what you do.
Oh you'll never get rid of the ! ! !, no matter what you do.

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Recorded by Phil Harris ca. 1948
Written by
see also RAPTAPTP, The Chandler's Wife
RG

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!