One day I got the notion to teach a fish to fly,
So I went down to the ocean when the tide was plenty high.
Found a fish, we talked, and I pointed to the sky,
But he didn't even try, no, he didn't even try.
No one listens to wise old me,
And I know how things ought to be.
I ain't blind but sure don't see,
Why no one listens to wise old me.
One day I said to me,
"Let's teach a bird to swim".
So I climbed way up a tree
And I went out on a limb.
Found a bird, we talked,
And I pointed to the sea.
And that bird just sang to me,
That bird just sang to me:
As sure as clouds live in the sky,
There's a place for you and I.
If you don't learn to let things be,
You'll find your wise self up a tree.
Now, please do not be frightened
By the things that sound absurd,
As how man can be enlightened
By the wisdom of a bird.
And so can you,
So let it be a lesson for today,
And may I never hear you say,
May I never hear you say:
No one listens to wise old me,
And I know how things ought to be.
I ain't blind but sure don't see,
Why no one listens to wise old me.