Excuse me, Mr. Hoots,

I hate to bug a busy bird,

But I want to learn the sax,

And I need a helpful word-

I always get a silly squeak

When I play the blues.



Ernie, keep your cool,

I'll teach ya how to blow the sax.

I think I dig your problem-

It's rubber, and it quacks.

You'll never find the skill you seek

Till you pay your dues.



Chorus:

You gotta put down the duckie,

Put down the duckie,

Put down the duckie,

Yeah, you gotta leave the duck alone.

You gotta put down the duckie,

Put down the duckie,

Put down the duckie,

If you wanna play the saxophone!



You didn't hear a word I said,

You gotta get it through your head.

Don't be a stubborn cluck,

Ernie, lay aside the duck!

I've learned a thing or two

From years of playing with a band:

It's hard to play the saxophone

With something in your hand.



To be a fine musician,

You're gona have to face the facts:

Though you're blessed with flying fingers

When you wanna wail, you're stuck-

What good are flying fingers

If they're wrapped around a duck?

Change the toy's position,

If you wanna ace the sax!

(Repeat chorus)



Don't have to put it on a train,

Don't have to wash it down the drain,

Don't have to lock it in a drawer,

Don't have to shove it out the door.

Don't have to put it in your pocket,

Or send it flyin' in a rocket!

Don't have to get it out of town!

Ernie, put the quacker down!

(Repeat the chorus twice)