(If You Wanna Do Something Big) A popular song from 1927 Words by Art Terker Music by J. Russel Robinson
Sheet Music
Accompaniment
Lyrics
Chorus:
Go wash an Elephant if you wanna do something big
Go wash an elephant till he squeals like a pig
Dip the brush into the pail and make the water fly
Wash him in December and by April he’ll be dry
Go wash an Elephant if you wanna do something big
Scrub him till he does an Irish jig
Don’t settle down to married life
For after all what is a wife
Oh go wash an Elephant if you wanna do something big
Chorus:
Go wash an Elephant if you wanna do something big
Go wash an elephant till he squeals like a pig
Elephants are fragile things they have such tender skins
If you hang a bucket on him please use safety pins
Go wash an Elephant if you wanna do something big
Spray him till he’s sweeter than a fig
Don’t try to lengthen women’s skirts
Or figure out why grapefruit squirts
But go wash an Elephant if you wanna do something big
Chorus:
Go wash an Elephant if you wanna do something big
Rub him with alcohol while you’re at it take a swig
Rub him North and rub him South then rub him East and West
It may take a week to rub the landscape off his chest
Go wash an Elephant if you wanna do something big
Scrub him till he rattles like a rig
Babe Ruth can surely swat a ball
But after all a ball is small
So, go wash an Elephant if you wanna do something big
Chorus:
Go wash an Elephant if you wanna do something big
If he objects to it you can put him in the brig
Manicure his dainty fingers, bless his little soul
Use the Mississippi river for his finger bowl
Go wash an Elephant if you wanna do something big
Box his little ears should he renege
Don’t ever try to get too rich
Or learn what makes a pimple itch
But go wash an Elephant if you wanna do something big