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       (Tampa sings:)      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'      (piano, guitar)       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.      ~