From the 1938 film “Sing You Sinners”
words by Frank Loesser
music by Hoagy Carmichael
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
Here comes that good for nothin’ brat of a boy
He’s such a devil I could whip him with joy
He’s been carousin’ at the burleycue
Just watch me teach him with the sole of my shoe
Refrain
Small fry, struttin’ by the pool room
Small fry, should be in the schoolroom
My! My! put down that cigarette
You ain’t a grownup high and mighty yet
Small fry, dancin’ for a penny
Small fry, countin’ up how many
My! My! just listen here to me
You ain’t the biggest catfish in the sea
You practice peckin’ all day long
To some old radio song
Oh! yes, Oh! yes, Oh! yes
You better listen to your Maw
And someday practice the law
And then you’ll be a real success
Yes, Small fry, kissed the neighbor’s daughter
Small fry, stay in shallow water
Seems I should take you ‘cross my knee
You ain’t the biggest catfish in the sea
You’ve got your feet all soakin’ wet
You’ll be the death of me yet
Oh me! Oh my, Small fry
Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: