THE SONG OF THE JUNGLE.
The Elephant:
Oh, I am the lord of the forest and plain!
The Lion, Tigers, etc.:
And we are the beasts that acknowledge your reign!
The Birds:
And we are the minstrels that come at your call!
The Monkeys:
And we are the jesters that laugh at you all!
Chorus, All—
Oh, yes! Oh, yes! Oh, yes! Oh, yes!
The tribes of the jungle are we—
Our home is the darksome wilderness
That never a man shall see.
The Elephant:
Oh, the jungle was meant and was made for my will!
The Lions, Tigers, etc.:
For the sport of the chase and the zest of the kill!
The Birds:
For the beating of wings and the echo of song!
The Monkeys:
For gambol and grimace the whole season long!
Chorus, All:
Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah! Oh, yes!
For all of the tribes that be
With homes in the tangled wilderness
That never a man shall see.
But, alas, for the boasts of the jungle!
The men came among us one day,
And one with a box that made music
Enticed foolish monkeys away.
The birds and the beasts of the forest
Were mute at the marvellous song,
But the monkeys crept out of the tree-tops—
An eager and wondering throng.
The birds and the beasts of the forest
Kept hidden and silent that day,
But the monkey-folk formed a procession
And followed the minstrel away.
And thus did we give up the forest
To dwell with our brothers, the men—
Farewell to the beautiful jungle!
'Twas long ere I saw it again!
