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Elton John – Hey Papa Legba (1982) | Track profile | Dork

Tracks
Elton John
Jump Up!
Hey Papa Legba

TRACK

Hey Papa Legba

Release date: 1st March 1982

More on Elton John

About This Track

"Hey Papa Legba" is a track by Elton John, from the album Jump Up!, released 1st March 1982. Full lyrics are available below. Dork has published 8 articles about Elton John.

About the Artist

Elton John

Elton John

Lyrics

Hey Papa Legba

Music by elton john

Released as a uk b-side in 1982

He would recount the stories he had learned so well

Fourteen years is a long time in one cell

When the pipe is passed the opium does its rounds

Papa legba sitting pretty in a chicken little town

His textured skin, like leather in the sun

Fingers beating hard upon a native drum

He picks his teeth with a splintered back rib bone

Papa legba bares his fangs and lays alone

Hey papa legba, hoo-boo-be-do

Hey papa legba, no one gonna bother you

Hey papa legba, hoo-boo-be-do

Shake papa legba, no one's gonna bother you tonight, alright

He was free to dance alone where the spirits run

His almond eyes would twinkle on a hundred sons

His champagne toast and white meat on a spit

Papa legba's drunken with a smile upon his lips

Lyrics provided by LRCLIB

View full lyrics page →

Track details

From Jump Up!

1982

Listen

Album

Release year

1982

—All Quiet on the Western Front
—Spiteful Child
—I Am Your Robot
—Legal Boys
—Where Have All the Good Times Gone?
—Dear John
—Princess
—Hey Papa Legba
—Ball and Chain
—Take Me Down to the Ocean

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Albums & EPs

Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy (50th Anniversary Edition)

Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy (50th Anniversary Edition)

Live From The Rainbow Theatre

The Devil Wears Prada A New Musical (Original West End Cast Recording)

Pop Anglo Para Ti Y Para Mi

Pop Anglo Para Ti Y Para Mi

Good Mood Mix

Pop + Electrónica = Electropop

Pop + Electrónica = Electropop

Football Anthems 2024

Football Anthems 2024

Father's Day Favourites

Father's Day Favourites

Trending Viral Hits 2024

Trending Viral Hits 2024

Girl Dinner

Explore

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Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy (Remastered 2016)Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy (50th Anniversary Edition)

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What's Right For MeThe Devil Wears Prada A New Musical (Original West End Cast Recording)

The Greatest DiscoveryLive From The Rainbow Theatre

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View all tracks by Elton John →

(Gotta Get A) Meal Ticket (Remastered 2016)Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy (50th Anniversary Edition)
4:01
A Little Light
Better Off DeadLive From The Rainbow Theatre
Better Off Dead (Remastered 2016)Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy (50th Anniversary Edition)
2:37
Bitter Fingers (Remastered 2016)Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy (50th Anniversary Edition)
4:34
Bon VoyageThe Devil Wears Prada A New Musical (Original West End Cast Recording)
Border SongLive From The Rainbow Theatre
Cage The SongbirdLive From The Rainbow Theatre
Captain Fantastic (Take 1 / Session Demo)
3:25
Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy (Remastered 2016)Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy (50th Anniversary Edition)
5:45

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Elton John-inspired Watford FC shirts are going up for exclusive auction

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10 Oct 2025 • 2:00 pm

Elton John and Brandi Carlile have released a documentary about making their new album

Elton John and Brandi Carlile have released a documentary about making their new album

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Elton John and Brandi Carlile previewed their new album at a special London Palladium show

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Elton John and Brandi Carlile performed songs from their upcoming album and their back catalogs at the London Palladium.

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Elton John and Brandi Carlile have teamed up for new album 'Who Believes In Angels?', and a London show

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5 Feb 2025 • 5:10 pm

Ballantine's have unveiled limited edition whisky bottles honouring Elton John and John Lennon

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Marmite and Elton John AIDS Foundation have teamed up to launch a new limited edition jar

The new design was inspired by Elton's 1975 Dodger Stadium performance.

23 Aug 2024 • 11:03 am

Elton John has been announced as the first headliner for Glastonbury 2023

Elton John has been announced as the first headliner for Glastonbury 2023

The star will close the Pyramid Stage on Sunday 25th June for his last ever UK show.

2 Dec 2022 • 8:49 am

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Credits

Production & Engineering

Writer: Elton John, Gary Osborne
Producer: Chris Thomas