(Verse 1) I was strolling through the park one sunny afternoon Humming little melodies and whistling out of tune The ducks were doing duckish things, the dogs were having fun The flowers waved politely in the warm and gentle sun Then something caught my eye there by an oak beside the lane A little dancing spark of light appeared and disappeared again It floated through the bushes with a twinkle and a hop And led me to a curious and rather tiny shop (Chorus) A curious shop! (A curious shop!) A marvelous, mysterious, curious shop! The sign was old, the windows glowed With treasures piled from floor to top Oh, who could know where one might go Inside that curious shop? (Verse 2) The bell above the doorway gave a cheerful little ring The shelves were full of clocks and maps and every sort of thing A fellow with a pointed hat came bustling from the back And asked me, "Would you like adventure?" just as plain as that I looked at him quite strangely and I rubbed my puzzled chin "Adventure?" I replied, "My friend, what sort are you selling?" He grinned and said, "The very best! We keep it all in stock! Just choose a costume from the rack and mind the changing clock!" (Chorus) A curious shop! (A curious shop!) A marvelous, mysterious, curious shop! The hats and coats and boots and cloaks Were stacked in every nook and prop Oh, who could know where one might go Inside that curious shop? (Bridge) He handed me a pirate suit with buttons made of gold And pointed to a changing room with curtains red and old "Step inside and change your clothes, then open up the door!" I shrugged and thought, "Why not?" and wandered through once more (Verse 3) But when I stepped back out again, the room had disappeared A pirate ship was rolling on a sea that looked quite weird The parrots sang in harmony, the dolphins danced a jig The moon wore a captain's hat and smiled absurdly big I sailed for weeks—or maybe minutes—time was hard to gauge Then suddenly I found myself back standing on the stage The shopkeeper was waiting with a knowing little smile "Would you care to try another one and stay a little while?" (Chorus) That curious shop! (That curious shop!) That marvelous, mysterious, curious shop! One costume more, one different door One world beyond each coat and prop Oh, who could know where one might go Inside that curious shop? (Finale) Now every week I visit there to see what I can find A spaceman suit, a knight's attire, adventures of every kind And if you see a dancing spark while walking through the park Don't be afraid to follow it, though things may get quite dark For somewhere waits a little shop beyond the ordinary stop... A curious shop! (A curious shop!) A marvelous, mysterious, curious shop! The worlds are wide on every side And every costume's worth a swap So follow sparks and take your chance Inside that curious shop! (Shop! Shop! Curious shop!) (Shop! Shop! Curious shop!) (Curious shooooooop!)
