Tom Lehrer: Author Lyric Sheets
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Public-domain lyrics

Unsong

Tom Lehrer

One character tidies up while another undoes everything, turning the prefix un- into a comic action sequence.

Tom Lehrer: Author Lyric Sheets Text 38 Undated text
Public domainLearningLanguageTheatreMischievousPlayful
Complete public-domain lyrics

Lehrer identifies this as a 1987 speculative lyric for a proposed Disney Channel reading series that was never produced. A is orderly and B mischievous; their repeated reversals eventually undo some damage as well as causing it. This is the complete scripted lyric, including the spoken exchanges and bracketed stage directions. It is not labeled as a released television song or a recording.

Clothes

A: I fold the shirt

B: I unfold the shirt

A: I lace the shoes

B: I unlace the shoes

A: I stack the clothes

B: And I unstack them

A: I pack the clothes

B: And I unpack them

It should be clear to anyone:

Anything you can do --- I can un.

Spoken reply

A (spoken): Why, that's the most unheard of thing I ever heard of!

B (spoken): I think you're getting the idea.

Boxes and doors

A: I wrap the box

B: I unwrap the box

A: I tie the string

B: I untie the string

A: [trying to keep B away] I lock the door [between them]

B: And I unlock it

A: I block the door

B: And I unblock it

Undoing things is lots of fun -

Anything you can do --- I can un.

Getting dressed

A: I button my shirt

B: I unbutton your shirt [it falls off]

A: I buckle my belt

B: I unbuckle your belt [pants fall down]

A: [getting angry] I dress again

B: Well, just to impress you

I undress you. [A's clothes fall off, down to underwear. A sneezes.]

Bless you!

Another reply

A (spoken): Why, you unspeakable, unbelievable, unscrupulous, unmitigated. ...

B (spoken): Don't forget “unfair”!

Undoing the damage

A: I comb my hair

B: I uncomb your hair [it's a mess]

A: I blow my nose [blows]

B: I unblow your nose [A inhales]

A: Oh, yukk!

I make the bed

B: And I unmake it

A: [trying to stop B, falls on bed -- it collapses] Oops! I break the bed

B: And I unbreak it

A: [surprised that B has actually done something helpful] Why, thank you!

B: You're unwelcome --it was unintentional

Both

BOTH: "Un" can undo whatever you've (I've) done

Anything you (I) can do, I (you) can un!

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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