Sly Cigarette
Brave Combo/Tiny Tim Lyrics
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Song sung in 1898 by miss. s. h. dudley for the runaway girl
And this is tiny tim trying to redo it.
If girls and boys were asked what joys
They found the most entrancing
Each boy would name his favorite game
>from sports, drink and dancing
Although you think I'm joking
With twinkling eye they'd make reply
The best of all is smoking.
Oh, sly cigarette
Oh, fine cigarette
Why did you teach me to love you so
When I have to pretend that I don't, you know
(repeat above chorus three times)
Oh, you poor little cigarette!
How they're stomping and crushing you today.
They're taking advantage of your small little nature
They're blaming you for cancer when you can still get
Cholesterol from butter and fat from lard and bacon
And all these meats and cheeses that are causing heart attacks and tumors
Why are they picking on you, oh sly cigarette? it's not fair, somebody has to protest!
And get back to normality again
Oh, sly cigarette
Oh, fine cigarette
Why did you teach me to love you so
When I have to pretend that I don't, you know
Oh, sly cigarette
Oh, fine cigarette
Why did you teach me to love you so
When I have to pretend that I don't, you know
The song "Sly Cigarette" is a tribute to the pleasures of smoking, with a sense of irony and humor, by Brave Combo and Tiny Tim. The lyrics mention a song sung by Miss S. H. Dudley in 1898 and are an updated version of it. The lines "If girls and boys were asked what joys they found the most entrancing," suggest that the song was written as a commentary on changing attitudes to gender roles, arguing that both genders enjoy smoking, and it is not just a habit for men. The song's opening lines might indicate smoking's longevity and its impact on different generations.
The chorus goes, "Oh, sly cigarette, oh, fine cigarette, why did you teach me to love you so when I have to pretend that I don't, you know?" This line suggests a sense of shame, as smoking has become less socially acceptable. The final verse goes against anti-smoking campaigns, with the singer defending cigarettes, arguing that they are not solely responsible for cancer or other health problems, and that other foods also cause cancer and heart problems. It's a reminder to view smoking in moderation and not to assume that cigarettes are the only dangerous habit.
Line by Line Meaning
That sly cigarette.
Oh that sneaky, tricky cigarette.
If girls and boys were asked what joys
They found the most entrancing
Each boy would name his favorite game
>from sports, drink and dancing
But girls with me will all agree
Although you think I'm joking
With twinkling eye they'd make reply
The best of all is smoking.
If girls and boys were polled about their interests, boys would mention sports and recreation while girls, on the other hand, would unanimously say that smoking is their absolute favorite thing to do (even though it sounds like a joke).
Oh, sly cigarette
Oh, fine cigarette
Why did you teach me to love you so
When I have to pretend that I don't, you know
Oh, tricky cigarette! You've made us all love you so much despite society causing us to have to hide our feelings and pretend we don't love you.
Oh, you poor little cigarette!
How they're stomping and crushing you today.
They're taking advantage of your small little nature
They're blaming you for cancer when you can still get
Cholesterol from butter and fat from lard and bacon
And all these meats and cheeses that are causing heart attacks and tumors
Why are they picking on you, oh sly cigarette? it's not fair, somebody has to protest!
And get back to normality again
Oh, poor cigarette! People are unfairly demonizing and attacking you, blaming you entirely for cancer even though there are other foods full of cholesterol and fat that are contributing to heart disease and tumors. It's not fair and someone needs to speak out and restore a sense of balance and sanity in the world.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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