[Verse 1]
Who said I was original?
Who said I was allowed
To sing as if I really sing, to write as if I really write?
Who said that I could suddenly get up from underneath?
And walk away completely stumbling between each breath I breathe
And walk away stumbling sublimely between each breath I breathe
Who said I was allowed?

[Verse 2]
I once flew by a real tall wall with ivy all around
And saw two eyes I really liked
And saw two ears I really liked
And saw two lips I liked as well
And saw a face that I could love
But it was far, so far and cold above
Inside that big above
But it was far
And far and cold inside that big above

[Chorus]
Don't ask for their permission
They'll never say that you're allowed
Be like a cloud
'Cause you're no worse than a cloud
Don't ask for their permission
They'll never say that you're allowed
Be like a cloud
'Cause you're no worse than a cloud
[Verse 3]
And so I walked to everywhere
And stopped in every town
The big ones with the little pond
The small ones with no pond at all
And though I've eaten dirt before
I've never grown to like the taste
And I prefer on any day
A big green apple in its place
And I'd prefer on any day
A big green apple in its place

[Chorus]
Don't ask for their permission
They'll never say that you're allowed
Be like a cloud
'Cause you're no worse than a cloud
Don't ask for their permission
They'll never say that you're allowed
Be like a cloud
'Cause you're no worse than a cloud

[Verse 4]
And so I closed my eyes and walked
And when I opened them again
I knew the clouds had snowed on me
And then they poured on me some rain
There stood this cold icicle the very shape and form of me
I tried to cry but couldn't
So instead, I made myself a cup of tea
I tried to cry but couldn't
So instead, I made myself a cup of tea
[Chorus]
Don't ask for their permission
They'll never say that you're allowed
Be like a cloud
'Cause you're no worse than a cloud
Don't ask for their permission
They'll never say that you're allowed
Be like a cloud
'Cause you're no worse than a cloud

[Verse 5]
So, who said I was original?
Who said I was a cloud?
To rain as if I really rain
To snow as if I really snow
You know the fastest thing in this world
Is the speed of snow into your eyes
As you walk off sublimely stumbling, sublimely slipping on the ice
As you walk off sublimely stumbling, sublimely slipping on the ice

[Outro]
Don't ask for their permission
They'll never say that you're allowed
Be like a cloud
'Cause you're no worse than a cloud
Don't ask for their permission
They'll never say that you're​ allowed
Be like a cloud
Be like a cloud
Be like a cloud
Be like a cloud
Be like a cloud