Everybody stop what you're doing
This is an emergency
Flames are flaring, smoke is rising,
Everyone come and see
Fire, fire, fire, fire
Wastepaper-basket fire
Fire, fire, fire, fire
Wastepaper-basket fire
Try to smother it with that raincoat over by the windowsill
Fill up every paper cup and empty every inkwell
Douse it with a pot of coffee, lest it overcomes us
Evacuate before the room becomes a fiery furnace
Fire, fire, fire, fire
Wastepaper-basket fire
Fire, fire, fire, fire
Wastepaper-basket fire
Do not attempt to save expensive pieces of equipment
Try to keep a level head through all of this excitement
Climb onto the fire escape and do as you're instructed to
Leave behind all articles of sentimental value
Fire, fire, fire, fire
Wastepaper-basket fire
Fire, fire, fire, fire
Wastepaper-basket fire
The culprit has come forward, who confesses to have failed
To snuff his still-lit cigarette end he threw the rubbish pail
We will give him 40 lashings, lock him in the pillory,
And shame him in the public square for everyone to see
Fire, fire, fire, fire
Wastepaper-basket fire
Fire, fire, fire, fire
Wastepaper-basket fire
Fire, fire, fire, fire
Wastepaper-basket fire