Not a folk song, but could this be the one you're seeking?


SWINGING ON A STAR
words by Johnny Burke ; music by Jimmy Van Heusen, ©1944
as sung by Bing Crosby in the Paramount Picture "Going My Way"

Would you like to swing on a star?
Carry moonbeams home in a jar?
And be better off than you are?
Or would you rather be a mule?

A mule is an animal with long funny ears,
Kicks up at anything he hears.
His back is brawny but his brain is weak.
He's just plain stupid with a stubborn streak.
And by the way, if you hate to go to school,
You may grow up to be a mule.

Or would you like to swing on a star?
Carry moonbeams home in a jar?
And be better off than you are?
Or would you rather be a pig?

A pig is an animal with dirt on his face.
His shoes are a terrible disgrace.
He has no manners when he eats his food.
He's fat and lazy and extremely rude.
But if you don't care a feather or a fig
You may grow up to be a pig

Or would you like to swing on a star?
Carry moonbeams home in a jar?
And be better off than you are?
Or would you rather be a fish?

A fish won't do anything but swim in a brook.
He can't write his name or read a book.
To fool the people is his only thought
And though he's slippery, he still gets caught.
But then if that sort of life is what you wish,
You may grow up to be a fish,

A new kind of jumped-up slippery fish.

And all the monkeys aren't in the zoo;
Every day you meet quite a few.
So you see it's all up to you:
You can be better than you are.
You could be swingin' on a star.