The Alligator King

The Alligator King is a clip from Sesame Street that demonstrates the number 7. The story follows the Alligator King and his seven sons, after the King asks his sons to cheer him up. Six of the songs bring him different gifts, while the seventh helps him in a different fashion.

The clip was believed to be made in 1971 and its earliest appearance on Sesame Street was December 23, 1975. The clip was animated and produced by Bud Luckey with lyrics by Donald Hadley.

Bud Luckey produced several shorts for Sesame Street, including Ladybug Picnic, Martian Beauty, and The Old Lady Who Lived In a Nine. In 1992 he moved to work at Pixar, designing the character of Woody for Toy Story as well as working on every Pixar feature film release, and sang on the 2004 Oscar nominated short Boundin'.

The song was released on the 1975 album The Count Counts! The Count's Countdown Show from Radio 1-2-3. The clip was released on several home video and DVD releases, including Learning About Numbers, The Great Numbers Game, Sesame Street's 25th Birthday, Elmo's Sing-Along Guessing Game, and Sesame Street - Old School, Vol. 1 (1969-1974).

One two three four five six seven!
Said the Alligator King to his seven sons,
"I'm feelin' mighty down.
Whichever of you can cheer me up
Will get to wear my crown."

His first son brought seven oyster pearls
From the bottom of the China Sea.

The second gave him seven statues of girls
With clocks where their stomachs should be.

The third son gave him seven rubies
From the sheikdom Down There Beneath.
The King thought the rubies were cherries,
And he broke off seven of his teeth.

The fourth son tried to cheer him up
With seven lemon drops.
The King said, "I'm sorry son,
Since that ruby episode, I just haven't got the chops."

The fifth son brought the King perfume
In seven fancy silver jars;
The King took a whiff, and he broke out in spots
'Cause it smelled like cheap cigars.

The sixth son gave him seven diamond rings
To wear upon his toes.
The King snagged his foot on the royal red rug
And crumpled up his nose.

The seventh son of the Alligator King
Was a thoughtful little whelp.
He said, "Daddy, appears to me
That you could use a little help."

Said the Alligator King to his seventh son,
"My son, you win the crown.
You didn't bring me diamonds or rubies, but
You helped me up when I was down.
Take the crown; it's yours, my son.
I hope you don't mind the dents.
I got it on sale at a discount store-
Cost me all of seven cents!"
Seven!