All That Meat and No Potatoes
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong Lyrics

A man works hard then comes on home,
After a long day of labor, a man returns home, hoping to find a delicious meal with the ham bone in it.

Expects to find stew with that fine ham bone.
He anticipates a savory stew that uses the flavor of the ham bone to make it more delicious.

He opens the door, then start to lookin',
He enters his house and immediately starts searching for the food he is craving.

Says, Woman, what's this stuff you're cookin'?
He addresses his wife, asking her what kind of dish she is preparing.

All that meat and no potatoes
He expresses his disappointment that the dish has no potatoes, which are an essential part of a satisfying meal.

Just ain't right, like green tomatoes.
He compares the dish to unripe green tomatoes, emphasizing how unsatisfactory it is.

Here I'm waiting, palpitatin',
He is eagerly waiting for his meal, his heart pounding with hunger.

For all that meat and no potatoes.
He repeats his frustration that the dish is lacking potatoes.

All that meat and no potatoes
He again expresses his annoyance about the absence of potatoes in the dish.

All that food to the alligators, yes.
He compares the dish to food thrown to alligators, indicating its inedibility.

Hold me steady. I am ready
He appears to be getting angrier and is losing his patience.

For all that meat and no potatoes.
His dissatisfaction with the dish is growing in intensity.

I don't think that peas are bad.
He expresses his belief that peas themselves are not necessarily a bad food.

With meat most anything goes.
He points out that meat is usually a versatile food that pairs well with many other foods.

I look into the pot. I'm fit to fight
He takes a closer look at the dish, finding nothing redeemable within it and is getting ready to have a fight.

'Cause, woman, you know that mess ain't right.
Addressing his wife once again, he accuses her of knowing that the dish is terrible.

All that meat and no potatoes
He repeats his displeasure with the absence of potatoes, this time with more emphasis.

Just ain't right, like green tomatoes.
He reinforces his belief that the dish is like unripe green tomatoes, which is just not correct in any way.

Woman, I'm steamin'. I'm really screamin'
He becomes furious and agitated with his wife, indicating how strongly he feels about this meal.

All that meat and no potatoes.
He repeats his condemnation of the dish's lack of potatoes, almost screaming with frustration.

Where is my fry and ham bone? Where is it?
He angrily demands to know where are his fry and ham bone.