Little Jimmy Dickens may have been small, but he knew how to get a big laugh out of a crowd. Dickens was well-known for his comical novelty songs, which still crack country fans up today.
One of Dickens’ most side-splitting tunes was a little ditty called “May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose.” The clever piece was written by Neal Merritt, and went on to become Dickens’ best-performing single.
The song is broken up into three verses and a chorus. In each verse, Dickens describes a situation in which he ended up insulting someone, though it wasn’t necessarily intentional. For example, in the first verse Dickens angers a beggar when he only drops a penny into his cup. The beggar and the other people that Dickens insults in the song insult him back by exclaiming, “may the bird of paradise fly up your nose!”
In Dickens’ humorous hands, “May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose” turned into a tune that had country fans howlin’ with laughter. It was even more hilarious to watch Dickens perform on television, like he did during a 1965 appearance on The Bobby Lord Show.
The performance showcased Dickens’ immense talent as an entertainer. Some artists simply sing a song, but Dickens delivered it. He fully embraced the lead character of the song, making funny faces in response to the words he sang.
It’s always a joy to watch an artist who likes to have a fun time on stage. Dickens was exactly that type of artist. Perhaps that’s the reason why he is now regarded as one of the most beloved figures in country music history.
If you’re in need of a good laugh today, tune in to the video below to watch Dickens’ performance of “May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose.” That Little Jimmy Dickens was quite the comedian!