[Verse 1]
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 heart's delight

[Chorus]
It went zip when it moved
Bop when it stopped
Whirr when it stood still
I never knew just what it was
And I guess I never will

[Verse 2]
The first time that I picked it up I had a big surprise
For right on its bottom were two big buttons that looked like big green eyes
I first pushed one, then the other, then I twisted its lid
And when I set it down again here is what it did

[Chorus]
It went zip when it moved
Bop when it stopped
Whirr when it stood still
I never knew just what it was
And I guess I never will
[Verse 3]
It first marched left, then marched right, 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 a-chuggin' from behind

[Chorus]
It went zip when it moved
Bop when it stopped
Whirr when it stood still
I never knew just what it was
And I guess I never will

[Verse 4]
Now, 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, he gave a squeal of glee
Neither one of us knows just what it is but he loves it just like me

[Chorus]
It still goes zip when it moves
And bop when it stops
Whirr when it stands still
I never knew just what it was
And I guess I never will
[Outro]
I never knew just what it was
And I guess I never will