And then been fishing with Fred Lee; so, probably, it was at the bottom of the frog pond!
Well, off to school I went, and came in after every schoolmate;
So, to pay me off, the schoolmaster and all the boys called me Bobby Toolate!
But that wasn't all; for the class was just up for spelling,
And I didn't know the lesson, and Tommy Shafter prompted me to spell boots butes; and that's all I got for telling,
Besides going to the foot of the class, and having to get the lesson over;
I tell you what! a hand-organ monkey's life, compared to a schoolboy's, is perfect rolling in clover!
And I wish I was a monkey, if I did get beaten—yes, that I do—
In a red coat all over spangles, and blue trowsers, and a long tail behind to come through!
Well, thank goodness, it's over; but that's not the half of my pother;