Can't You Read

Can't You Read - Big Maceo

Written by：George Weiss/Hugo Peretti/Luigi Creatore

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 read

Now can't ya read

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 your 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 read

Now can't you read

If you keep on readin'

I'm bound to put you wise

If anybody jus' happen to ask'd you

Where the waiting' 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 name yo' dish

They will even sell you

Some a that ol' filtie fish

Now can't you read

Now can't you read

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 read

Now can't you read

If you keep on readin'

I'm bound to put you wise