Koko is a gorilla
Koko lives in California
Koko knows sign language
She learned from Penny Patterson
Koko for her birthday asked
That one present be a cat
Penny said, "What will you name him?"
Koko replied, "All Ball"
All Ball, soft good cat cat
Soft, good cat cat
All Ball, soft good cat cat
Koko love All Ball
All Ball rode on Koko's back
All Ball was quite a kitty cat
Koko, she groomed, she tickled him
Koko even painted him
Koko was always gentle
Though that kitten could test her mettle
All Ball, he could be raucous
Koko signed, "Cat bite - obnoxious!"
All Ball, soft good cat cat…
One day Ball was gone
A car sent him on
Penny said, "Ball has died"
Koko would not reply
Later on, Koko signed
"Sleep cat" and then she cried
A loud, high series of hoots
Penny cried too
Cry sad frown
Cry sad frown
Cry sad frown
Koko love All Ball
Penny could not bear Koko's hurt
Penny began a kitty search
Koko asked repeatedly
For a tailless All Ball kitty
Penny, she persevered
Until at last a Manx cat appeared
Koko, when she met her new kitten
She purred* with pleasure
Lipstick, soft good cat cat
Soft, good cat cat
Lipstick, soft good cat cat
Koko love Lipstick
Koko, Koko
All Ball, All Ball
Penny Patterson, Penny Patterson…
Koko love All Ball
Koko, All Ball, and Penny © 2018 by Nell Clowder
* gorillas purr
words in italics to be signed by the chorus, or part of the chorus,
or dedicated signers...or not at all...but audiences really enjoy this
and can sign along
a keyboard with a sound like vibrabells (General Midi 12) is recommended,
but piano is also possible
learn more about Koko and her friends at koko.org