"A Lion Named Sam" was written in 1963 by Jerre Haskew of the Cumberland Trio. The song accompanied by the beautiful illustrations of Patrica Mayes became a children's book last year. Both the song (a CD single) and the book are available for purchase on this site.

Join Sam as he travels the whole world wide.

A Lion Named Sam

Once I had a lion named Sam
And he lived under the stair
My brother and sister and mother and dad
They said that Sam wasn't there
But every night about twelve o'clock
When they were fast asleep
I'd sit up in bed and I'd whistle for Sam
And up those stairs he'd leap
While they were asleep

For Sam and I were the best of pals
On his back I would ride
Searchin' the mountains for silver and gold
Roamin' the whole world wide

Every mornin' I'd tell my mom
Of all the things we'd done
'Bout Sam's great mane and his shaggy tail
As they glistened in the sun
I'd tell her how we had crossed the seas
And climbed the mountains high
But mother would frown and say to me
That good little boys don't lie
And I started to cry

For Sam and I were the best of pals
On his back I would ride
Searchin' the mountains for silver and gold
Roamin' the whole world wide