I learned Marvelous Toy from the songbook Ramblin’ Boy and Other Songs by Tom Paxton, which I must have bought in about 1966. It’s one of several children’s songs he wrote, and which he released on the album Children’s Songbook in 1974.

When I was just a wee little lad, full of health and joy

My father homeward came one night and gave to me a toy.

A wonder to behold, it was, with many colors bright,

And the moment I laid eyes on it it became my heart's delight.

Chorus

   It went "zip" when it moved and "bop" when it stopped,

   And "whirr" when it stood still.

   I never knew just what it was 

   And I guess I never will.

The first time that I picked it up, I had a big surprise,

For right on its bottom were two big buttons that looked like big green eyes.

I first pushed one and then the other, and then I twisted its lid,

And when I set it down again, this is what it did:

Chorus

It first marched left and then marched right, and then marched under a chair.

And when l looked where it had gone, it wasn't even there.

I started to sob and my daddy laughed, for he knew that I would find,

When l turned around, my marvelous toy, chugging from behind.

Chorus

Well, the years have gone by too quickly, it seems, I have my own little boy.

And yesterday I gave to him my marvelous little toy.

His eyes nearly popped right out of his head and he gave a squeal of glee.

Neither one of us knows just what it is but he loves it, just like me.

Modified Chorus

   It still goes "zip" when it moves, "bop" when it stops,

   And "whirr" when it stands still.

   I never knew just what it was, and I guess I never will.

   I never knew just what it was, and I guess I never will.