The first time I remember hearing about a bird of paradise was when I was little girl and heard a song on the radio called, May the Bird of Paradise Fly up Your Nose.* It was the silliest song that I had ever heard, and it made me giggle. Even today when I hear about or see a bird of paradise (bird or flower), I am amused.
Little did I know that it had other powers too. Recently, my friend gave me a bird of paradise flower that she brought back from California. I carried it with me one day (protecting it from the cats) while I was doing my chores. As the silly flower watched over me while I was working, I actually didn't mind doing my work so much.
Some say" Many hands make light work," but I say, "Carrying a bird of paradise flower around with you makes light work." (Falls right off the tongue, doesn't it?)
Chores and My Helper
The song that started it all.
by Little Jimmy Dickens
One fine day as I was a-walkin' down the street
Spied a beggar man with rags upon his feet
Took a penny from my pocket
In his tin cup I did drop it
I heard him say as I made my retreat
CHORUS
"May the bird of paradise fly up your nose"
"May an elephant caress you with his toes"
"May your wife be plagued with runners in her hose"
"May the bird of paradise fly up your nose"
The laundry man is really on his toes
Found a hundred-dollar bill among my clothes
When he called me I came a-runnin'
Gave him back his dime for phonin'
I heard him sayin' as I turned to go
CHORUS
I was way behind one day to catch the train
Taxi driver said "We'll make it just the same"
The speed cop made it with us
And as he wrote out the ticket
I stood by politely a-waitin' for my change
CHORUS
