Unicorn Song Lyrics:  Learn the Words to a World Famous Pub Song!

Learn Unicorn Song lyrics today, and tomorrow you can be one of the thousands of people who express their Irish love of music - very loudly - at pubs across the Emerald Isle and around the world.  

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Irish Expressions - Irish Song Lyrics. The Unicorn Song - Irish Rovers.

Tell me if you've heard this before:

A long time ago, when the earth was still green
And there were more kinds of animals than you've ever seen
They'd run around free while the earth was being born
But the loveliest of all was the unicorn

So what's your pleasure?  If you are short on time and want ALL of the lyrics NOW,  click here for the full song and two of our favorite performances.

But if you have a bit more time and would like to hear some fun facts about the Unicorn Song, keep on a'readin.

6 Fun Things to Know About the Unicorn Song

Here are a few fun facts about this amazing song.  Hopefully they will entice you to sing along the next time you hear it!

  1. Unicorn Song lyrics tell the story of Noah and the Great Flood but with a twist. Have a look at the lyrics to see what we mean!
  2. This famous song was actually written by Shel Silverstein, a popular American poet, cartoonist, screenwriter, author of children’s books, and singer-songwriter. 
  3. But it was the Irish Rovers who made the song popular in the Emerald Isle and in the rest of the world.
  4. The Irish Rovers were named after the popular traditional Irish song of the same name.  The original members were born in the Emerald Isles but immigrated to Canada
  5. When the Irish Rovers version of the Unicorn Song became popular on the Irish airwaves, it quickly became popular in the pubs.  
  6. In fact, it is one of the most famous songs by the band with over 8 million copies in worldwide sales and growing.

Unicorn Song Lyrics

Irish expressions is about having an Irish experience, on demand, wherever you happen to be.  What better way than to sing along? 

To help you do just that, here are the Unicorn Song lyrics!

A long time ago, when the earth was still green
And there were more kinds of animals than you've ever seen
They'd run around free while the earth was being born
But the loveliest of all was the unicorn

There was green alligators and long-necked geese
Some humpty-backed camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born
The loveliest of all was the unicorn

Now god seen some sinnin' and it gave him pain
And he says, "stand back, I'm going to make it rain"
He says, "hey, brother Noah, I'll tell you what to do
Build me a floating zoo"

And take some of them green alligators and long-necked geese
Some humpty-backed camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born
Don't you forget my unicorn"

Old Noah was there to answer the call
He finished up making the ark just as the rain started fallin'
He marched in the animals two by two
And he called out as they went through

"Hey, Lord"I've got your green alligators and long-necked geese
Some humpty-backed camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants, but Lord, I'm so forlorn
I just can't see no unicorn"

Then Noah looked out through the driving rain
Them unicorns was hiding, playing silly games
Kicking and splashing while the rain was pouring
Oh, them silly unicorns

There was green alligators and long-necked geese
Some humpty-backed camels and some chimpanzees
Noah cried, "close the doors 'cause the rain is pourin'
And we just can't wait for no unicorns"

The ark started movin', it drifted with the tide
Them unicorns looked up from the rock and they cried
And the waters came down and sort of floated them away
And that's why you'll never see a unicorn, to this very day

You'll see green alligators and long-necked geese
Some humpty-backed camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born
You're never gonna see no unicorn


Songwriters: Shel Silverstein

The Unicorn lyrics © T.R.O. Inc.

Our Favorite Performance

Here is a classic stage performance by the Irish Rovers.


Another Version - Which Do You Like Better?

This one is illustrated and fun!


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