Goofus
Composer(s): William Harold; Gus Kahn; Wayne King
Performer(s): The Carpenters;
and various other artists



I was born on a farm out in Ioway 
A flaming youth 
Who was bound that he'd fly away 
I packed my grip 
And I grabbed my saxophone 
Can't read notes but I play anything by ear 
I made up tunes on the sounds that I used to hear 
I'd start to play, folks used to say 
Sounds a little goofus to me 

Corn-fed chords appeal to me 
I like rustic harmony 
Hold the note 'n change the key 
That's called goofus 
Not accordin' to the rules 
That you learn at music schools 
But the folks just dance like fools 
They love goofus 

Got a job but I just couldn't keep it long 
The leader said I played all the music wrong 
So I stepped out with an outfit of my own 
Got together a new kind of orchestry 
And we all played just the same goofus harmony 
And I must admit, we made a hit 
Goofus has been lucky for me 

I must admit, we made a hit 
Goofus has been lucky for me