hare came along and hip-hopped so merrily
he's gonna spring up when he bends
the tortoise, strong...he will walk more warily
he's gonna trudge right to the end

will he go 'round the turtle ?
will he lie, sly, while the tortoise passes by ?
will he go 'round the turtle ?
will he lie, sly, while the tortoise passes by ?

you've heard the story and know the moral
seems the hare will win...maybe more than a mile
yes, speed means glory...but here's the quarrel
even slow guys win every once in a while

will he go 'round the turtle ?
will he lie, sly, while the tortoise passes by ?
will he go 'round the turtle ?
will he lie, sly, while the tortoise passes by ?

he sees the chance...he takes him a nap...do he
let his chum catch up, then he'll wake and he'll bound
he starts to prance...his feet start to flap...phooey !
kinda late...the hare can't make up the ground

didn't go 'round the turtle
tortoise was wry and he passed the rabbit by
didn't go 'round the turtle
tortoise was wry and he passed the rabbit by