The Gnu Song Songtext
von John Lithgow

A year ago last Thursday
I was strolling in the zoo
When I met a man
Who thought he knew the lot
He was laying down the law
About the habits of baboons
And the number of quills a porcupine has got


So I asked him what′s that creature there
He answered, "It's a helk"
I might have gone on thinking that was true
If the animal in question hadn′t
Put that cap to shame
And remarked "I ain't a Helk"
I'm a Gnu
I′m a Gnu
I′m a Gnu
How do you do?
You really ought to know
Who's who
I′m a Gnu
Spelled G-N-U
I'm g-not a camel or a kangaroo
So let me introduce
I′m g-neither man or moose
Oh G-no, G-no, G-no - I'm a Gnu

I had taken furnished lodgings down on Rustington-on-Sea
Whence I traveled on to Ashton-under-Lyme
And the second night I stayed there
I was wakened from a dream
Which I′ll tell you all about some other time
Among the hunting trophies on the wall above my head
Stuffed and mounted was a face I thought I knew
A bison, no it's not a bison
An okapi, I don't think it′s an okapi
Could it be a hartebeest?
When I seemed to hear a voice

I′m a Gnu
I'm a Gnu
A g-nother Gnu

I wish I could g-nash my teeth at you
I′m a Gnu
How do you do?
You really ought to k-now
A who's who


I′m a Gnu
Spelled G-N-U
Call me bison or okapi and I'll sue
G-nor am I in the leaset like that dreadful heartebeest
G-No G-No G-No!

I′m a Gnu
G-no, G-no, G-no
I'm a Gnu
G-no, G-no, G-no
I'm a Gnu