[Chorus]
"Hey, daddy, what that there? And what that under there?
And oh, daddy, oh, hey, daddy, hey, look at that over there
And where they going there? And what they doing there?
And daddy, can I have that big elephant over there?
Hey, who that in my chair? And what she doing there?
And oh, daddy, oh, hey, daddy, can I go over there?
Hey, daddy, what's a square? And where do we get air?
And daddy, can I have that big elephant over there?"

[Verse 1]
A quizzical kid, Manny doesn't want anything hid
He's forever demanding to know who and what and why and where
Inquisitive child, sometimes the questions get wild
Like, "Daddy, can I have that big elephant over there?"

[Chorus]
"Don't wanna comb my hair and where my teddy bear?
And oh, daddy, oh, hey, daddy, look at the cowboy coming there
And can I have a pair of boots like that to wear?
And daddy, can I have that big elephant over there?"

[Verse 2]
The time will march, the years will go
The little fella's going to grow
I gotta tell him what he needs to know
Help him along, so he'll know right from wrong
Gonna make him strong
[Verse 3]
As life's parade goes charging by
He'll need to know some reasons why
I don't have all the answers, but I'll try best that I can
Gonna help him plan so he'll be a man

[Verse 4]
Man, you give the kid your best and hope he'll pass the test
When you'll finally send him out into the world somewhere
But when he's grown, I'm bettin', never will forget
"Daddy, can I have that big elephant over there?"

[Chorus]
"Hey, what they doing there? And how you work that there?
And oh, daddy, oh, hey, daddy, hey, what's that say up there?
Hey, daddy, what is fair? How come I got to share?
And daddy, can I have that big elephant over there?"