Monkeys

Monkeys come and monkeys go,
Where they sail to I don’t know.
I would give a bowl of rice
Just to be there when they’re nice.

Monkeys shout and monkeys play,
Laugh at every word you say,
Poke your oysters, steal your hat,
Shave your kittens, fancy that!

I would take one by the tail,
Drag it all the way to jail,
Send it up before the beak,
Never give it leave to speak,

Put it in the village stocks,
Peasants throwing shoes and socks,
Hats and coats and shirts and trousers,
Monkeys are such rabble-rousers,

Then I’d send it off to jail,
To do its big-jobs in a pail,
That would serve the damn thing right
For being such a silly sight.

Monkeys shout and monkeys scream,
Make a nightmare of your dream,
But I’d give a ton of hay
Just to see them when they play.