
Peak
7
Weeks
12
Score
2,199
Chart Year
1968
A unicorn is a mythical beast similar to a horse but with a horn coming out of its forehead. This song is based on the Biblical story of Noah's Ark, and it explains that Noah left without the unicorn, and that's why we don't see them today. This was written by Shel Silverstein, a famous children's author who also wrote adult material for Playboy magazine. Silverstein's nephew Mitch Myers, who wrote the book Silverstein Around the World, says: "What seems to be a timeless Irish folk song was written by a Jewish guy from Chicago. And Shel had written it and recorded it. But back then, not everyone wrote their own material. They were looking for material. And it was just a good fit. It was a very straightforward, simple, lovely melody, and the timeless folksiness of it was complemented by the Irish Rovers' - I'm not going to say 'accent' - but their sound. You know, their very, very ethnic sound just made it that much more magical. Many people think that Shel wrote 'Puff The Magic Dragon.' I'm like, no, no, no, it's a unicorn. I would say that Shel was more of a student of fables and legends and folk tales more than he was trying to deliver any kind of a religious message. And I think he found using these common universal folk tales was an efficient way to communicate to a large group of people." (Learn more about Shel Silverstein in our interview with Mitch Myers.) This is a very popular sing-a-long song for both kids and adults. There are gestures that go along with the animals.
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
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mar 23, 1968 | 77 | 49 |
| 2 | Mar 30, 1968 | 49 | 77 |
| 3 | Apr 6, 1968 | 27 | 99 |
| 4 | Apr 13, 1968 | 26 | 100 |
| 5 | Apr 20, 1968 | 20 | 106 |
| 6 | Apr 27, 1968 | 12 | 114 |
| 7 | May 4, 1968 | 10 | 116 |
| 8 | May 11, 1968 | 8 | 118 |
| 9 | May 18, 1968 | 8 | 118 |
| 10 | May 25, 1968 | 7 | 119 |
| 11 | Jun 1, 1968 | 18 | 108 |
| 12 | Jun 8, 1968 | 45 | 81 |