hey ho

does an octopus know

how to juggle with eight cups and saucers

and the fish watching him

while the elephants swim

then he juggles with a turtle and tortoise

 

then ho hey

does the octopus say

I can do this all day round in circles

but an ache in my arm

in my arm, in my arm

and so on through all eight tentacles

 

so hey ho

let the octopus go

to bed nice and early with honey

to rest and recline

for a considerable time

so he doesn’t feel worn out and funny

 

ho hey

and a new octopus day

refreshed and all ready to juggle

so with cups and with saucers

a turtle and tortoise

but the elephant’s splash makes him struggle

 

hey hey

that’s not fair that’s not fair

so the octopus went somewhere quieter

where he practised a lot

and a lot more than not

and so now he’s a pro entertainer