Always Saying “Do n't!”

Folks are queer as they can be,

Always sayin’ “do n't” to me;

Do n't do this an’ do n't do that.

Do n't annoy or tease the cat,

Do n't throw stones, or climb a tree,

Do n't play in the road. Oh, Gee!

Seems like when I want to play

“Do n't” is all that they can say.

If I start to have some fun,

Someone hollers, “Do n't you run!”

If I want to go an’ play

Mother says: “Do n't go away.”

Seems my life is filled clear through

With the things I must n't do.

All the time I'm shouted at:

“No, no, Sonny, do n't do that!”

Do n't shout so an’ make a noise,

Do n't play with those naughty boys,

Do n't eat candy, do n't eat pie,

Do n't you laugh and do n't you cry,

Do n't stand up and do n't you fall,

Do n't do anything at all.

Seems to me both night an’ day

“Do n't” is all that they can say.

When I'm older in my ways

An’ have little boys to raise,

Bet I'll let‘ em race an’ run

An’ not always spoil their fun;

I'll not tell‘ em all along

Everything they like is wrong,

An’ you bet your life I wo n't

All the time be sayin’ “do n't.”