It is time for bed, so the nurse declares, But I slip off to the nook, The cozy nook at the head of the stairs, Where daddy's reading his book.
“I want to sit here awhile on your knee,” I say, as I toast my feet, “And I want you to pop some corn for me, And give me an apple sweet.”
I tickle him under the chin — just so — And I say, “Please can n't I, dad?” Then I kiss his mouth so he can n't say no To his own little black-eyed lad.
“You can n't have a pony this year at all,” Says my stingy Uncle Joe, After promising it — and there's the stall Fixed ready for it, you know.
One can n't depend on his uncle, I see, It's daddies that are the best, And I find mine and climb up on his knee As he takes his smoke and rest.
I tickle him under the chin — just so — And I say, “Please can n't I, dad?” Then I kiss his mouth so he can n't say no To his own little black-eyed lad.
I want to skate, and oh, what a fuss For fear I'll break through the ice! This woman that keeps our house for us, She is n't what I call nice.
She wants a boy to be just like a girl, To play in the house all day, Keep his face all clean and his hair in curl, But dad does n't think that way.
I tickle him under the chin — just so — And I say, “Please can n't I, dad?” Then I kiss his mouth so he can n't say no To his own little black-eyed lad.
“You're growing so big,” says my dad to me. “Soon be a man, I suppose, Too big to climb on your old dad's knee And toast your ten little toes.”
Then his voice it gets the funniest shake, And oh, but he hugs me tight! I say, when I can n't keep my eyes awake, “Let me sleep with you to-night.”
I tickle him under the chin — just so — And I say, “Please can n't I, dad?” Then I kiss his mouth so he can n't say no To his own little black-eyed lad.
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