Why may I not go out and climb the trees?
Trees have fingers that may steal the earth from me
Why may I not go play out in the barn?
The barn hand may take you, and drown you in the tar

I want to go and find the little cat
The cat's been found and taken by the rats
Where will the Sun be? When the sky is black?
You will have all night to ponder about that

May I let the puppy sleep here in my bed?
Puppies got bugs that lay eggs inside your head
Why may I not stay up and be with thee?
I don't like children who doesn't want to sleep