Tom Paxton Allen Gator
Down in the jungle, down in the swamp
Down where the weather is warm and damp
Lived an alligator with a little green tail
And it wiggled when he wriggled down the watery trail
His name was Allen, he was three feet long
His skin was tough and his teeth were strong
His eyes were clear and his brain was smart
And deep inside he had a friendly heart
He was Allen Gator, little alligator with a great big bite
He was Allen Gator, he wanted to do what's right
Allen loved his swampland fun
Loved to bask in the warm, warm sun
He'd lie all day in the sun, and then
He'd slide right back in the water again
He'd do what the grown-up alligators did
He'd slide where the grown-up alligators slid
He'd practice swimming, he'd twist and turn
For a little alligator has a lot to learn
He was Allen Gator, little alligator with a great big bite
He was Allen Gator, he wanted to do what's right
One day he was swimming in the shady pool
When he heard some children coming home from school
Teasing each other, playing with the ball
One little child took a great big fall
One little child took a great big spill
Down in the dandelions rolling down the hill
Down in the water with a great big smack
She landed right on Allen's back
On Allen Gator, little alligator with a great big bite
He was Allen Gator, he wanted to do what's right
Allen was gentle, Allen was good
Did what any gentleman would
He carried that child to the bank of the creek
He winked his eye because he could not speak
The little girl smiled and ran away
And when Allen came swimming in the creek next day
The little girl blew a kiss his way
And left wild flowers in a bright bouquet
For Allen Gator, little alligator with a great big bite
He was Allen Gator, he wanted to do what's right
He wanted to do what's right
He was Allen Gator, little alligator with a great big bite
He was Allen Gator, he wanted to do what's right
He wanted to do what's right
He wanted to do what's right