Papa I know the greens are hard to grasp
And you can't wait for them to be passed
But you should understand
We're at the table

You always taught me etiquette
The proper way, Daddy, don't forget
I may be unrefined
But I do not enable

The things you warned me not to do
Are things I'm now seein' done by you
You poke and you paw for things
Like we're in a stable, please

Papa don't reach
Mind your manners, please
Papa don't reach
I will pass the peas

But I'm drawin' the line
I'm keepin' the gravy
I'm gonna keep the gravy, ohh ohh

You say you need this asparagus
That's halfway between the two of us
Maybe you'll get a bite
If you ask me nice

But your hands keep grabbing out to snatch it up
Clutching for the grub, like an unruly pup
This is not a barn where you brought me up, please

Papa don't reach
Manners, I implore
Papa don't reach
One foot on the floor

If you act up and whine
I'm keepin' the gravy
I'm gonna keep the gravy, uhh uhh

Daddy, Daddy, if you could understand
How it hurts me to slap your hand
I'd give you some dressing right now
Instead of a shove
Chew on a glove, no peas

Papa don't reach
Ask me for the grapes
Papa don't reach
We're not circus apes

Now you've run out of time
I'm drinkin' the gravy
I'm gonna drink the gravy, mmm mmm

Papa don't reach
For the canapes
Papa don't reach
For the fish filets

Papa don't reach
For the onion rings
Papa don't reach
For the chicken wings

Oh, I'm gonna drink the gravy
Watch, I'm doin' it, Daddy
You see, I'm drinkin' the gravy