Ernie: 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



Hoots: 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



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 in a band

It's hard to play a saxophone

With something in your hand

To be a fine musician

You're gonna 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!



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!



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 stuff 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!



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 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!