Monica Grabin: Music/Programs

This song was taught to me by my father. He found me at my mother’s dresser, trying on her jewelry, putting on lipstick, when I was six or seven. He sat me down and sang me a song about a kid trying to grow up too fast. Dad knew a million songs and my memories of him singing to me are very precious.

LYRICS

Small fry, lounging round the poolroom,
Small fry, should be in the school room,
My, my, you put down that cigarette,
You ain't a high and mighty grown-up yet, not yet.

Small fry dancing for a penny,
Small fry, counting out how many,
My, my, just listen here to me,
You ain't the biggest catfish in the deep blue sea.

You practice pecking all day long to some old radio song,
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah.
You better listen to your Pa, and someday practice the law,
And then you'll be a real success, yes.

Small fry, kissed the neighbor's daughter.
Small fry should stay in shallow water.
My, my just listen here to me,
You ain't the biggest catfish in the deep blue sea.

You got your feet all soaking wet,
You'll be the death of me yet.
Oh me, oh my, small fry.