[Verse 1]
When Stephen Foster died
In a flop-house on the Bowery
His worn-out wallet held
Just a quarter and a dime

But the crocodiles, they have to eat
The crocodiles have to eat

[Verse 2]
He smashed his head on the sink
In the bitter fever of gin
A wildebeest gone crazy with thirst
Pulled down as he try to drink

But deep down in the smallest street
Even crocodiles dream their dreams

[Verse 3]
And as the herd galloped
He lay on that flophouse floor
Singing, "Beautiful Dreamer"
As the lions begin to roar

But we all have our beautiful dreams
Running through us like wildebeest
[Verse 4]
And when we wait at the river
To cross to that gleaming shore
The river, she always takes a few
As the herd thunders across

But the river has oceans to feed
She has beautiful ocean to feed

[Verse 5]
And the oceans, they feed the sky
And the sky feeds the earth
And Stephen Foster's beautiful ghost
Lay down to feed a song

To feed ten thousand songs
Echoing cross the wild plains