Song lyrics to Me Ol’ Bamboo performed by Dick Van Dyke in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
All:
A gentleman’s got a walking stick.
A seaman’s got a gaff.
And the merry men of Robin Hood
They used a quarterstaff.
On the Spanish plains inside their canes
They hide their ruddy swords.
But we make do with an old bamboo
And everyone applauds!
1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – Hey!
Me ol’ bamboo, me ol’ bamboo
You’d better never bother with me ol’ bamboo.
You can have me hat or me bum-ber-shoo
But you’d better never bother with me ol’ bamboo.
Chorus:
When punting on the beautiful Thames
Caractacus:
You use a sturdy pole.
Chorus:
To protect their fair complexion
Caractacus:
Ladies use a parasol.
Chorus:
It’s useful in the underbrush
Caractacus:
To have a hefty spear.
Chorus:
Right!
All:
But what we do with an old bamboo
Makes everybody cheer!
1 – 2 – 3 – HO!
Me ol’ bamboo, me ol’ bamboo
You’d better never bother with me ol’ bamboo
You can have me hat or me bum-ber-shoo
But you’d better never bother with me ol’ bamboo
‘Ave a go, mate . . .
Caractacus:
A flyer in an air-e-o-plane
Chorus:
He steers it with a stick
Caractacus:
He does?
Caractacus:
A collier in the pits o’ Wales
Chorus:
He leans upon his pick
Caractacus:
That’s right!
All:
Now every wheel of an automobile
Revolves around a shaft (HEY!)
But what we do with an old bamboo
Makes every one go daft.
And 1 – 2
Me ol’ bamboo, me ol’ bamboo
You’d better never bother with me ol’ bamboo.
You can have me hat or me bum-ber-shoo
But you’d better never bother with me ol’ bamboo.
(Dance break)
1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – HEY!
And a 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – and a 5 and a 6 and a 7 HO!
Me ol’ bamboo, me ol’ bamboo
You’d better never bother with me ol’ bamboo.
You can have me hat or me bum-ber-shoo
But you’d better never bother with me ol’ bamboo.
You’d better never bother with me ol’ bamboo!