Summer - Far And Far To Zanzibar

Song Lyrics & Words

Oh, far and far to Zanzibar,
I went to see in an open car,
But I found it rather boring.
For the rain did blow on the wave-wet road,
And the green seas came a roaring.
And each fish would grin as he passed me by,
With a waving fin and a fishy eye...

Song Rating

Votes: 313

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Comments (8)

By Gerald in Albuquerque, Usa on 27 January 2009

"Far and far to Zanzibar" You only have a few lines. Where is the rest of the song?

By Betty in Little Rock on 31 January 2009

I learned this song in the 6th grade and was just singing it to my family. I got all the lyrics to the fish grinning and forgot the rest. I was hoping to get the rest of the lyrics but there is only one additional line given here. What are the rest of the lyrics????

By Jane in Columbus Ohio on 23 February 2009

oh my god! Ive been trying to track down this song for over a year. Yes please try to find the rest of the lyrics. anyone know where this song came from?

By Susan in Mobile Alabama Usa on 14 March 2009

I have been trying to find this song for years. I only know a little of the rest of the lyrics. "And he said as I recall --- pick a peck of polliwogs, a pocketful of salt' and next line has fault at the end I think. I was born in 1945, so would have heard it in school 51-58

By Barry Elkin in Murrieta Ca on 19 March 2009

! I'm 71 years old and sang this in the 5th or 6th grade as well and it has never left me. Here it is complete for all of you Zanzibar lovers. ! ! Oh, far and far to Zanzibar,! I went to see in an open car,! But I found it rather boring.! For the rain did blow ! on the wave-wet road,! And the green seas came a roaring. ! ! And each fish would grin as he passed me by,! With a waving fin and a fishy eye...! And they said as I recall ! ! Pick a peck of pollywogs ! A pocket full of salt! Singing rinky dinky doodle! For its not my fault ! ! If the seas are wetter! Than the dry lands are! Singing rinky dinky doodle down to Zanzibar !

By Jan in Austin, Tx on 13 April 2009

! There is more, as I recall: ! ! Oh far and far to Zanzibar! I went to see in an open car! Though the sea was somewhat murkish! And the captain said! (can't remember this line)! and I think he spoke in Turkish! Or it might be Urse or the Choctaw tongue! As he said in verse! Or perhaps twas sung! In a singsong rise and fall ! ! Pick a peck of pollywogs! A pocket full of sand! Singing rinky dinky doodle (I remember this last word as "davey")! It's a wave wet land! For the seas roll wetter than the dry lands are! Singing rinky dinky davey down to Zanzibar. ! ! And I think there was another verse too. !

By Gregory in Douglasville Ga on 6 October 2009

Learned this song in Salem Hyde Grade School, Syracuse NY. It was one of the most requested and songs sung in the 4th and 5th grade classes. I could only remember the first verse, but thanks to all your help, now have most of it.

By Mary Lynne in Burlington Vt on 9 October 2009

I, too, learned this song in what we called the upper grades in the late 1950's at Trow Hill School in Barre, Vermont during our weekly music hour with a travelling music teacher who went from school to school in our district. I remember the words being "rinky dinky davey" instead of "doodle" as well. My 3-yr-old grand-daughter is now signing this wonderful nonsense song, too!