When I See an Elephant Fly Lyrics

[CROWS]
I seen a peanut stand, heard a rubber band
I seen a needle that winked its eye
But I be done seen 'bout ev'rything
When I see an elephant fly

(What d'you say, boy?)
I said when I see an elephant fly

I seen a front porch swing, heard a diamond ring
I seen a polka-dot railroad tie
But I be done seen 'bout ev'rything
When I see an elephant fly

{Bridge}

I saw a clothes horse, he r'ar up and buck
And they tell me that a man made a vegetable truck
I didn't see that, I only heard
But just to be sociable, I'll take your word

I heard a fireside chat, I saw a baseball bat
And I just laughed till I thought I'd die
But I be done seen 'bout ev'rything
When I see an elephant fly
{Bridge}

Well I be done seen 'bout ev'rything
When I see an elephant fly
(With the wind)

When I see an elephant fly

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About

Genius Annotation

A song from the enduring 1941 cartoon film, a kid’s favorite and subject to a debate about its being fit for kids (the painful separation of Dumbo from his mother) and implies racial tone – in this song.

The crows, who undoubtedly represent African American males, mock Dumbo’s claim that he could fly, but eventually become his greatest cheerleaders. Their mannerism and talking/singing style have led to the accusation of being thinly-veiled racist caricatures. It is also of note that the main crow is named Jim, as in Jim Crow laws.

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