Tom Lehrer: Author Lyric Sheets
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Public-domain lyrics

Take Me for a Walk

Tom Lehrer

A family conversation chooses time together over expensive gifts and grand gestures.

Tom Lehrer: Author Lyric Sheets Text 27 Undated text
Public domainFamilyWalkingTogethernessWarmUnhurried
Complete public-domain lyrics

The source identifies Sara (S), Austin (A) and Elizabeth (E), with Jamie as an optional fourth character, in an abandoned revision of Park. It explicitly says no music was written. This complete main reading keeps the largely spoken interlude and the alternating final lines, while excluding the marked optional four-line passage and one alternative phrase. The unusual split-word rhymes remain as printed.

Opening

Take me for a walk

That's all I ask of you

A simple walk, perhaps a talk,

Exchanging points of view

A quiet stroll

An occasional quiet little stroll

Rejuvenates the soul

Not too energetic

Merely peripatetic

Simple pleasures

Millionaires can't measure

What a simple pleasure -- means.

They just don't have a glimmer

Riding in their limou -- sines.

Today

If they got out the lead

And tried to walk instead

They'd gladly throw their calendars away

And say:

Just take me for a walk with you

To -

Day.

Interlude

A: There surely must be something I can buy you

[mostly spoken] With which to ply you

And satisfy you

A trip to Tahiti?

S: Forget it, sweetie.

A: A new Ferrari?

E: [yawns] Terribly sorry.

A: A color TV? A Ph.D.? A nightingale? The Holy Grail?

Well, how about a diamond ring

Or anything I possess?

S,E: Sir, what do you take us for?

A: A walk, I guess.

S,E: That's more like it!

Walk with me

Take me for a walk

Take a walk with me

We'll traipse along, And sing a song,

As jaunty as can be.

Morning hike

An adventurous early morning hike

Is what I'd really like

No destination

And not much perspiration

Home again

We could simply mosey

To a green and cozy -- glen

Savor the aroma

Till we head for home a -- gain.

Agreement

S,E: We could be climbing a peak with a stick and a pack

A: Spending a week with a crick in my back

But nevertheless I'll join you, if I may --

S,E: Okay!

Finale

(Alternating:) We can amble along

Or shamble along

Or toddle along

Or waddle along

Or swagger along

Or stagger along

Our way -- Hey!

Please take me for a walk with you

To-

Day.

Credits

Written by Tom Lehrer

Words by Tom Lehrer, released into the public domain by the author. This is the author-published text edition, not a transcription of a particular performance.

Source & text edition

Author-published lyric sheet · original English words

Tom Lehrer's November 26, 2022 declaration relinquishes copyright in lyrics he wrote. It does not grant rights to third-party music, photographs or album artwork. This edition uses only his words.

Read the author’s lyric sheet (PDF)

View copyright evidence · Author’s public-domain declaration

Retrieved 2026-09-08. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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