Can't You Read

Way back tale

In nineteen hundred and ten

The monkey and the baboon

They came walkin' in

The monkey told the baboon

Let's shoot a game of pool

The monkey could shoot

But the baboon wadn't no fool

Next thing came along

Was a little mule

He say, 'You know I'm so mad

I even can't wear no shoes'

Next thing came along

There was Mr. Cat

We ain't gon' have no such-a stuff

Goin' on here like that

Next thing came

Was a little mouse

'Let's all get drunk

And break up the doggone house'

Can't ya re-ead?

Now, can't ya re-ead?

If ya keep on readin'

I'm bound to put you wise

Well, the monkey and the elephant

They went out for a little drive

The elephant hit the monkey

Right square in his eye

The monkey looked up

With a tear in his eye

Said, 'Look-a-here big boy

You oughta get someone yo' size

One a these days

I'm gonna climb yo' tree

Remember big boy

You got to march right under me

When you march under me

You better march careful and fast

I get me limb and break it

Cross yo' ~

Now, can't you re-ead

Now can't you re-ead

If you keep on readin'

I'm bound to put you wise

If anybody jus' happen to ask'd you

Where the waitin' gonna be?

Tell him right down there on

Hazen Street

Go down there

Just about the end of the week

You can get most anything

That you care to eat

If you don't like shrimp

Just na-ame yo' dish

They will even sell you

Some a-that ol' filtie fish

Now, can't you re-ead?

Now, can't you re-ead?

Now, if you keep on readin'

Mama, I'm bound to put you wise

'Yeah, play it Mr. Maceo'

Well, fifteen cents

You know that's reg'lar price

If you got two bits

They will even serve you twice

Can't you re-ead?

Now, can't you re-read?

If you keep on readin'

I'm bound to put you wise.