THE MARVELOUS TOY
Words and Music by Tom Paxton
As recorded by Tom Paxton on "I'm the Man that Built the Bridges"

1. When I was just a wee little lad full of health and joy,
My father homeward came one night and gave to me a toy.
A wonder to behold, it was, with many colors bright,
the moment I laid eyes on it it became my heart's delight.

CHORUS: It went "zip" when it moved and "bop" when it stopped, "whirr" when it stood still.
I never knew just what it was and I guess I never will.

2. The first time that I picked it up, I had a big surprise,
For right on its bottom were two big buttons that Looked like big green eyes.
I first pushed one and then the other, then I twisted its lid,
When I set it down again, this is what it did: CHORUS

3. It first marched left and then marched right, then marched under a chair.
And when I looked where it had gone, it wasn't even there.
I started to cry and my daddy laughed, for he knew that I would find,
When I turned around, my marvelous toy, chugging from behind. CHORUS

4. Well, the years have gone by too quickly, it seems; I have my own little boy.
And yesterday I gave to him my marvelous little toy.
His eyes nearly popped right out of his head; he gave a squeal of glee.
Neither one of us knows just what it is, but he loves it, just like me.

CHORUS: It still goes "zip" when it moves, "bop" when it stops, "whirr" when it stands still.
I never knew just what it was, and I guess I never will.