Just Don't Get Caught

Papa smoked that pipe and drank
That single malt scotch
In his big brown leather chair
He said, «Son, I know you cheat
Just don’t get caught
Whenever you take a lover
You get wise right from the start
Because I know you steal
But don’t steal a lady’s heart
And good you can never harm
They’re going to stay with you
From the altar to the rock-a-bye
Little baby on the treetop»
He says, «Sonny, don’t get caught»
«If love lets loose in your blood, son
You’ve never known such a drunk
Gamble with love, better know how to bluff
Or your bacchanal days will b done
Keep a secret up your sleev
Your deceit in your sock
Son, I know you’re no good
Just don’t get caught»
And I pulled up to that big red house
Where papa played cards
Where he’d sing his drunken songs
Once I came of age, he was gone, baby, gone
He used to take me to the lake
When mama was out to church
He’d say, «Look at all the lovely birds
The nape, the breast, the flank, the fur»