Paul Laurence Dunbar - When A Feller's Itching To Be Spanked lyrics

W'EN us fellers stomp around, makin' lots o' noise, Gramma says, 'There's certain times comes to little boys W'en they need a shingle or the soft side of a plank;' She says 'we're a-itchin' for a right good spank.' An' she says, 'Now thes you wait, It's a-comin' — soon or late, W'en a fellers itchin' fer a spank.' W'en a feller's out o' school, you know how he feels, Gramma says we wriggle 'roun like a lot o' eels. W'y it's like a man that's thes home from out o' jail. What's the use o' scoldin' if we pull Tray's tail? Gramma says, tho', 'thes you wait, It's a-comin' — soon or late, You'se the boys that's itchin' to be spanked.' Cats is funny creatures an' I like to make 'em yowl, Gramma alwus looks at me with a awful scowl An' she says, 'Young gentlemen, mamma should be thanked Ef you'd get your knickerbockers right well spanked.' An' she says, 'Now thes you wait, It's a-comin' — soon or late,' W'en a feller's itchin' to be spanked. Ef you fin' the days is gettin' awful hot in school An' you know a swimmin' place where it's nice and cool, Er you know a cat-fish hole brimmin' full o' fish, Whose a-goin' to set around school and wish? 'Tain't no use to hide your bait, It's a-comin' — soon or late, W'en a feller's itchin' to be spanked. Ol' folks know most ever'thing 'bout the world, I guess, Gramma does, we wish she knowed thes a little less, But I alwus kind o' think it 'ud be as well Ef they wouldn't alwus have to up an' tell; We kids wish 'at they'd thes wait, It's a-comin' — soon or late, W'en a feller's itchin' to be spanked.