Monkey That Became President

(Tom T. Hall)



I was there on the day the monkey came into this world

His face was round and reddish and his hair was slightly curled

He didn't look too different from the others I had seen

Who'd've thought he was the answer to the nation's dream.



At first he didn't seem to be intelligent at all

Each time he'd start to walk about he'd stumble and he'd fall

My first impression was to be a most mistaken thought

Lord Almighty, what's this little hairy monkey wrought.



Because I witnessed his departure from his mother's womb

I felt inclined to check his progress every afternoon

One day the keeper of the Zoo called in the live TV

Brinkley said I think you'll be amazed at what you'll see.



The monkey walked and talked and waved his arms about his head

In the corner was a stack of books that he had read

An Educated Monkey said the papers cross the land

It was more than weary sociologists could stand.



Oh, his fame was universal he was on the Carson Show

People talked about him kindly everywhere he'd go

His insight was amazing his philosophy was fair

He became a politician welcomed everywhere.



His wit was not to be compared with any mind intact

He'd lace a phrase with irony and blend it all with fact

Conservatives applauded and the liberals were entranced

The bigots and the integrationists were in his camp.



Nobody dared to meet him in an open press debate

He was nominated by the folks from every state

Yes, a monkey was the President though maybe not the first

There was peace and harmony throughout the universe.



The dream I had last night has been related as it came

As for interpretation well it's really very plain

Would you rather have a monkey up in Washington DC

Or have those people making monkeys out of you and me?...