Little children did I tell you how the mockingbird
Called the animals together tried to say a few words
But the squirrels began to chatter and the bees began to buzz
Just the way it is just the way it was

What can I say?
Now everybody's talking but it makes no sense
Used to be a tree now it's a picket fence

With the wild trees gone and no place to go
They put 'em in the zoo next to the monkey show
You can protest swinging on the garden gate
Mockingbird tried to warn you but now it's too late

What can I say?
He ain't gonna fight to say his peace
Just the way it was just the way it is

Talk to yourself on your cordless phone
Watch tv you see celebrities
You've got to sit outside if you wanna see stars
They used to swing thru the trees but now they're monkey bars

What can I say?
Now everybody's talking but it makes no sense
Used to be a tree now it's a picket fence
He ain't gonna fight to say his peace
Just the way it was just the way it is