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The Unicorn

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Dmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Verse]
A lDong time ago when the eGarth was green
There was mAore kinds of animals than yDou'd ever seenDsus2  
They'd rDun around free while the wGorld was being born
But the lDoveliest of them all was the AuniDcorn
[Chorus]
There was gDreen alligators and lGong necked geese
Some hAumpty backed camels and some cDhimpanzeesDsus2  
Some cDats and rats and elephants, but sGure as you're born
The lDoveliest of all was the AuniDcorn.
[Instrumental]
D A D
[Verse]
Now gDod seen some sinning and it gGave him a pain
And he sAays, stand back, "I'm going to mDake it rain!"Dsus2  
He says, "HDey, brother Noah I'll tGell you what to do,
BDuild me a fAloating zDoo,"
"and tDsus2ake some of them...."
[Chorus]
GDreen alligators and lGong necked geese,
Some hAumpty backed camels and some cDhimpanzees.Dsus2  
Some cDats and rats and elephants, but sGure as you're born.
DDon't you forget my AuniDcorn."
[Instrumental]
D A D
[Verse]
Old NDoah was there to aGnswer the call,
He fAinished up making the ark just as the rDain started pourin'Dsus2  
He mDarched in the animals tGwo by two,
And he cDalled out as tAhey went tAhrough,
"Hey lord,"
[Chorus]
I gDot your green alligators and lGong necked geese,
Some hAumpty backed camels and some cDhimpanzees,Dsus2  
Some cDats and rats and elephants, but lGord, I'm so forlorn,
I jDust can't see no AuniDcorn!"
[Instrumental]
D A D
[Verse]
Then NDoah looked out through the dGriving rain,
Them uAnicorns were hiding, pDlaying silly games.Dsus2  
KDicking and splashing while the rGain was pourin'
DOh, them silly AuniDcorns!"
[Chorus]
There were gDreen alligators and lGong necked geese,
Some hAumpty backed camels and some cDhimpanzees.Dsus2  
Noah cDried, "Close the door cause the rGain's pourin'
And Dwe just can't wait for those AuniDcorn!"
[Instrumental]
D A D
[Verse]
The aDrk started moving, it dGrifted with the tides,
Them uAnicorns looked up from the rDocks and they cried.Dsus2  
And the wDaters came down and sort of fGloated them away,
And that's why ya never seen a unicorn to this very day.
[Chorus]
You'll see gDreen alligators and lGong necked geese,
Some hAumpty backed camels and some cDhimpanzees.Dsus2  
Some cDats and rats elephants, but sGure as you're born,
You're never gonna see no u--ni---corn

All chords in this song (4)

The story behind the song

This whimsical song tells a humorous, fantastical twist on the biblical tale of Noah's Ark. It imagines a time when God, seeing "some sinning," decided to flood the earth and gather the animals "two by two." The lyrics playfully detail the various creatures that made it onto the ark, from "cats and rats" to "elephants," but notably absent are the unicorns. The Irish Rovers, who popularized the song in 1968, deliver much of the story as spoken word, leading to the droll conclusion that this is "why you'll never see a Unicorn to this very day." It's a lighthearted narrative about a missed opportunity and the enduring mystery of a mythical creature.

AI-written from these sources:The Unicorn (song) — Wikipedia ↗The Irish Rovers — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

Story time

The Unicorn

The Unicorn

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The Unicorn

by The Irish Rovers

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Dsus2

[Verse]

D G

A long time ago when the earth was green

A D Dsus2

There was more kinds of animals than you'd ever seen

D G

They'd run around free while the world was being born

D A D

But the loveliest of them all was the unicorn

[Chorus]

D G

There was green alligators and long necked geese

A D Dsus2

Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees

D G

Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born

D A D

The loveliest of all was the unicorn.

[Instrumental]

D A D

[Verse]

D G

Now god seen some sinning and it gave him a pain

A D Dsus2

And he says, stand back, "I'm going to make it rain!"

D G

He says, "Hey, brother Noah I'll tell you what to do,

D A D

Build me a floating zoo,"

Dsus2

"and take some of them...."

[Chorus]

D G

Green alligators and long necked geese,

A D Dsus2

Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees.

D G

Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born.

D A D

Don't you forget my unicorn."

[Instrumental]

D A D

[Verse]

D G

Old Noah was there to answer the call,

A D Dsus2

He finished up making the ark just as the rain started pourin'

D G

He marched in the animals two by two,

D A A

And he called out as they went through,

"Hey lord,"

[Chorus]

D G

I got your green alligators and long necked geese,

A D Dsus2

Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees,

D G

Some cats and rats and elephants, but lord, I'm so forlorn,

D A D

I just can't see no unicorn!"

[Instrumental]

D A D

[Verse]

D G

Then Noah looked out through the driving rain,

A D Dsus2

Them unicorns were hiding, playing silly games.

D G

Kicking and splashing while the rain was pourin'

D A D

Oh, them silly unicorns!"

[Chorus]

D G

There were green alligators and long necked geese,

A D Dsus2

Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees.

D G

Noah cried, "Close the door cause the rain's pourin'

D A D

And we just can't wait for those unicorn!"

[Instrumental]

D A D

[Verse]

D G

The ark started moving, it drifted with the tides,

A D Dsus2

Them unicorns looked up from the rocks and they cried.

D G

And the waters came down and sort of floated them away,

And that's why ya never seen a unicorn to this very day.

[Chorus]

D G

You'll see green alligators and long necked geese,

A D Dsus2

Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees.

D G

Some cats and rats elephants, but sure as you're born,

You're never gonna see no u--ni---corn

About The Unicorn Chords by The Irish Rovers

Learn how to play The Unicorn by The Irish Rovers with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “The Unicorn chords”, “The Unicorn guitar chords”, or “The Irish Rovers The Unicorn chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy The Unicorn chords and for experienced players who want accurate The Unicorn lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, G, A, Dsus2.

FAQ — The Unicorn by The Irish Rovers

How do I play "The Unicorn" by The Irish Rovers on guitar?

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Can I transpose "The Unicorn" to a different key?

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Yes. Tap any chord in "The Unicorn" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "The Unicorn" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "The Unicorn" in?

The chords for "The Unicorn" show the original chord names (including D, G, A, Dsus2). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.