[Verse 1]
A buzzard took a monkey for a ride in the air
The monkey thought that everything was on the square
The buzzard tried to throw the monkey off his back
The monkey grabbed his neck and said, "Now listen, Jack..."

[Chorus]
Straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and stay right
Straighten up and fly right
Cool down, papa, don't you blow your top
Ain't no use in divin'
What's the use in jivin'?
Straighten up and fly right
Cool down, papa, don't you blow your top

[Bridge]
The buzzard told the monkey, "You are chokin' me
Release your hold and I will set you free"
The monkey looked the buzzard right dead in the eye and said
"Your story's so touching, but it sounds just like a lie"

[Chorus]
Straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and stay right
Straighten up and fly right
Cool down, papa, don't you blow your top
[Bridge]
Take it away, boys

[Instrumental Break]

Woo, hold that, daddy

[Chorus]
Straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and stay right
Straighten up and fly right
Cool down, papa, don't you blow your top
Ain't no use in divin'
Ain't no good in jivin'
Straighten up and fly right
Cool down, papa, don't you blow your top

[Outro]
Fly right