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.