I'm not no red football To be kicked around the garden No no I'm a red christmas-tree ball And I'm fragile I'm not no animal Though I am to you I'm not no crocodile Like the one in Dublin Zoo Who lived in a cage the length and breadth of his body When a window which people would look through And throw coins on his back to taunt him 'though he couldn't move Even if he wanted to I'm not no animal in the zoo I'm not no whipping boy for you You may not treat me like you do I'm not no animal in the zoo My skin is not a football for you My head is not a football for you My body's not a football for you My womb is not a football for you My heart is not a football for you I'm not no animal in the zoo This animal will jump up and eat you I'm not no animal in the zoo And I've every intention Of leaping up and getting you