From the recording Memories of the Season - Download
1. The Marvelous Toy (3:03) (Tom Paxton; BMG Ruby Songs And Reservoir Media Music)
My first introduction to this song was the version by The Chad Mitchell Trio, although many people have recorded it over the years. In fact, I didn’t realize Tom Paxton had written it until I was putting it together for this project! Although not specifically written as a Christmas holiday song, it instantly became a go-to tune for every DJ’s holiday playlist (you know - those songs that now start around Halloween?) This was a song I always said I wanted to record someday - it always…ALWAYS makes me think of my Daddy in the best possible ways. Sometimes I get so happy, it rolls down my cheeks…
Lyrics
When I was just a wee little lad
full of health and joy
My father homeward came one night
and gave to me a toy
A wonder to behold it was,
with many colors bright
And the moment I laid eyes on it,
it became my hearts delight
It went 'Zip' when it moved,
and 'Bop' when it stopped,
and 'Whirr' when it stood still,
I never knew just what it was
And I guess I never will.
The first time when I picked it up,
I had a big surprise
For right on its bottom were two big button
that looked like big green eyes
I first pushed one and then the other,
and then I twisted its lid
And when I set it down again.
here is what it did
It went 'Zip' when it moved,
and 'Bop' when it stopped,
and 'Whirr' when it stood still,
I never knew just what it was
And I guess I never will.
It first marched left, and then marched right,
And then marched under a chair
And when I looked where it had gone,
it wasn't even there
I started to cry and my daddy laughed
for he knew that I would find
When I turned around my marvelous toy
would be chuggin’ from behind
It went 'Zip' when it moved,
and 'Bop' when it stopped,
and 'Whirr' when it stood still,
I never knew just what it was
And I guess I never will.
Well the years have gone by too quickly it seems -
I have my own little boy,
And yesterday I gave to him
my marvelous little toy
His eyes nearly popped right out of his head
and he gave a squeal of glee
Neither one of us knows just what it is
but he loves it just like me
It still goes 'Zip' when it moves,
and 'Bop' when it stops,
and 'Whirr' when it stands still,
I never knew just what it was
And I guess I never will.
I never knew just what it was
And I guess I never will.