A gentleman's got a walking stick, a seaman's got a gaff
And the merry men of Robin Hood they used a quarterstaff
On the Spanish plains inside their canes they hide their ruddy swords
But we make do with an old bamboo and everyone applauds

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Me ol' bam-boo, me ol' bamboo
You'd better never bother with me ol' bamboo
You can have me hat or me bumbershoo
But you'd better never bother with me ol' bamboo

When punting on the beautiful Thames you use a sturdy pole
To protect their fair complexion ladies use a parasol
It's useful in the underbrush to have a hefty spear
But what we do with an old bamboo makes everybody cheer

1, 2, 3, 4
Me ol' bam-boo, me ol' bam-boo
You'd better never bother with me ol' bamboo
You can have me hat or me bumbershoo
But you'd better never bother with me ol' bamboo

A flyer in an aeroplane he steers it with a stick
A collier in the pits o' Wales he leans upon his pick
Now every wheel of an automobile revolves around a shaft
But what we do with an old bamboo makes everyone go daft

1, 2
Me ol' bam-boo, me ol' bamboo
You'd better never bother with me ol' bamboo
You can have me hat or me bumbershoo
But you'd better never bother with me ol' bamboo

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Me ol' bam-boo, me ol' bam-boo
You'd better never bother with me ol' bamboo
You can have me hat or me bum ber shoo
But you'd better never bother with me ol' bamboo

Me ol' bam-boo, me ol' bam-boo
You'd better never bother with me ol' bamboo
You can have me hat or me bumbershoo
But you'd better never bother with me ol' bamboo
You'd better never bother with me ol' bamboo