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

[Chorus]
Straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and fly right, oh
Straighten up and fly right
Cool down papa, don't you blow your top
Ain't no use in divin' (ain't no use, no)
What's the use of jivin' (what's the use of jivin')
Straighten up and fly right (straighten up, yeah)
Cool down papa, don't you blow your top

[Verse 2]
The buzzard told the monkey, you're choking me
Release your hold and I'll set you free
The monkey looked the buzzard right dead in the eye and said
"Your story's touching, but it sounds just like lies"

[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
[Instrumental]

The buzzard told the monkey, you are choking me
Release your hold and I'll 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 bull"

[Chorus]
Straighten up and fly right, yeah
Straighten up and stay right, oh oh oh oh oh
Straighten up and fly right, do do do dod do do do
Cool down papa, don't you blow your top, do do ba do

[Outro]
Straighten up and fly right
Straighten up and stay right
Straighten up and fly right
Cool down papa, don't you blow your top
Fly right