One day I got the notion
   To teach a fish to fly
   So I went down to the ocean
   When the tide was plenty high
   Found a fish, we talked
   And I pointed to the sky
   But he didn't even try
   No, he didn't even try
  
   Chorus:
   No one listens to wise old me
   And I know hot things ought to be
   I ain't blind but sure don't see
   Why no one listens to wise old me
  
   One day I said to me
   Let's teach a bird to swim
   So I climbed way up a tree
   And I went out on a limb
  
   Found a bird, we talked
   And I pointed to the sea
   And that bird just sang to me
   That bird just sang to me
  
   As sure as clouds live in the sky
   There's a place for you and I
   If you don't learn to let things be
   You'll find your wise self up a tree
  
   Now, please do not be frightened
   By the things that sound absurd
   As how man can be enlightened
   By the wisdom of a bird
   And so can you, so let it be
   A lesson for today
   And may I never hear you say
   May I never hear you say
  
   Chorus
  
   No one listens to wise old me