Tammy The Tortoise

(album: Songs From Alphabet Zoo - 1983)

It's all right being a tortoise
If you don't mind travelling slow
But if you're in a hurry
You've really got to worry
As every tortoise knows
It's best to give yourself some extra time
If you want to cross the finish line
Oh, they'd rather think of dinner
Than to finish up a winner
Oh, a tortoise is the easy-going kind

It's all right being a tortoise
If you're fond of salad stuff or greens
A bit of dandelion
Is the stuff you can rely on
If you cannot find a lettuce leaf
But do not knock a tortoise on her back
It's not because she's scared her shell will crack
But when their legs are in the air
They don't look so debonair
To turn over by themselves they lack the knack

It's all right being a tortoise
The shell upon your back is home sweet home
From danger you can hide
By popping safe inside
But of course it means you have to live alone
If you invite a friend around for tea
In advance you both have to agree
There's no room inside the shell
To bring another friend as well
So it's an outdoor picnic usually

It's all right being a tortoise
If you're the kind that likes a longish sleep
They sleep the winter through
(Holly Hedgehog does that too)
And in the spring wakes up and takes a peep
If I could choose an animal to be
A tortoise or a hedgehog, no siree
Ah, sleeping through the snow
Ah, but where does Christmas go?
So after all I'm glad that I am me
Yes, after all I'm glad that I am me!