Civilization (Bongo, Bongo, Bongo)

Album: Angel in the Wings (1947)
Charted: 1
Play Video
  • Each morning, a missionary advertises neon sign
    He tells the native population that civilization is fine
    And three educated savages holler from a bamboo tree
    That civilization is a thing for me to see

    So bongo, bongo, bongo, I don't want to leave the congo, oh no no no no no
    Bingo, bangle, bungle, I'm so happy in the jungle, I refuse to go
    Don't want no bright lights, false teeth, doorbells, landlords, I make it clear
    (That no matter how they coax him) I'll stay right here

    I looked through a magazine the missionary's wife concealed
    (Magazine, what happens)
    I see how people who are civilized bung you with automobile
    (You know you can get hurt that way Daniel)
    At the movies they have got to pay many coconuts to see
    (What do they see, darling)
    Uncivilized pictures that the newsreel takes of me

    So bongo, bongo, bongo, he don't want to leave the congo, oh no no no no no
    Bingo, bangle, bungle, he's so happy in the jungle, he refuse to go
    Don't want no penthouse, bathtub, streetcars, taxis, noise in my ear
    (So, no matter how they coax him) I'll stay right here

    They hurry like savages to get aboard an iron train
    And though it's smokey and it's crowded, they're too civilized to complain
    When they've got two weeks vacation, they hurry to vacation ground
    (What do they do, darling)
    They swim and they fish, but that's what I do all year round

    So bongo, bongo, bongo, I don't want to leave the congo, oh no no no no no
    Bingo, bangle, bungle, I'm so happy in the jungle, I refuse to go
    Don't want no jailhouse, (shotgun) fish hooks (golf clubs) I got my spears
    (So, no matter how they coax him) I'll stay right here

    They have things like the atom bomb (so I think I'll stay where I am)
    Civilization, I'll stay right here Writer/s: BOB HILLIARD, CARL SIGMAN
    Publisher: MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 2

  • Patricia W. Gray from Orrington, MaineI would dearly love to have the chords to this song.
  • Sam from Seattle, WaThis song appears in the video game Fallout 3. It is played on the radio station Galaxy News Radio periodically
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining Victims

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining VictimsSong Writing

Just like Darrin was replaced on Bewitched, groups have swapped out original members, hoping we wouldn't notice.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Booker T. Jones

Booker T. JonesSongwriter Interviews

The Stax legend on how he cooked up "Green Onions," the first time he and Otis Redding saw hippies, and if he'll ever play a digital organ.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Vanessa Carlton

Vanessa CarltonSongwriter Interviews

The "A Thousand Miles" singer on what she thinks of her song being used in White Chicks and how she captured a song from a dream.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.