"May The Bird Of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose" is a humorous country song recorded by Ernest Tubb in 1964. The lyrics tell a comical tale of encountering various instances of good luck turning into misfortune. The story begins with the narrator walking down the street and coming across a beggar man. Feeling charitable, the narrator drops a penny into the beggar's tin cup. However, instead of expressing gratitude, the beggar sarcastically wishes that a bird of paradise would fly up the narrator's nose. This line sets the tone for the rest of the song, as it portrays unexpected and humorous curses. Next, the narrator shares an incident with their laundry man, who discovers a hundred-dollar bill in the narrator's clothes. Rather than keeping it, the honest laundry man returns the money. However, with a cheeky sense of humor, the laundry man also utters the same curse as the beggar. Lastly, the narrator shares an experience they had while rushing to catch a train. Despite the taxi driver's assurance that they will make it on time, they are pulled over by a speed cop who issues a ticket. As the narrator patiently waits for their change, they are once again subjected to the curse, this time from the speed cop. Overall, the song revolves around the ironic concept of good deeds being met with humorous curses. It serves as a lighthearted commentary on the unpredictability of life and the naivety of expecting only positive outcomes. The phrase "May the bird of paradise fly up your nose" is used as a recurring punchline, adding a playful twist to the song's lyrics.
