Sly Cigarette
Tiny Tim With Brave Combo 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" by Tiny Tim is a cover of a song originally sung in 1898 by Miss. S. H. Dudley, titled "Runaway Girl". The song suggests asking boys and girls about their favorite activities, with boys likely responding with sports, drinking or dancing whilst girls, according to the lyrics, would name smoking as their favorite. The refrain employs the rhetorical question "Oh, sly cigarette. Oh, fine cigarette. Why did you teach me to love you so?" whilst continuing with a verse in which the singer has to pretend they don't love cigarettes, most likely as a result of societal pressure.
As the song progresses, Tiny Tim's lyrics shift towards defending the cigarette, speaking of it being unfairly blamed for causing cancer and contrasting this with the fact that other unhealthy options such as butter, lard, bacon, and various meat and cheese products are responsible for causing heart attacks and tumors. It is worth noting that these claims are somewhat scientifically flawed.
The song seems to be a playful take on the relationship between society and smoking, with Tiny Tim criticizing the negative portrayal of cigarettes in popular culture. Overall, the song can be interpreted to reflect the societal struggles of addiction, acceptance, and social pressure.
Line by Line Meaning
If girls and boys were asked what joys
If young people were asked what makes them happy
They found the most entrancing
What they enjoy the most
Each boy would name his favorite game
Boys would mention things like sports and drinking
>from sports, drink and dancing
Among other things, these are considered pleasures for young men
But girls with me will all agree
But girls who know me will surely say
Although you think I'm joking
You might not believe me
With twinkling eye they'd make reply
In an amused demeanor, they'd answer
The best of all is smoking.
That smoking is the best of all
Oh, sly cigarette
Referring to cigarettes as crafty and sneaky
Oh, fine cigarette
Describing cigarettes as excellent, high-quality products
Why did you teach me to love you so
Wondering why he was ever introduced to cigarettes
When I have to pretend that I don't, you know
Knowing that he has to pretend to dislike cigarettes
Oh, you poor little cigarette!
Pitifully addressing cigarettes
How they're stomping and crushing you today.
Bemoaning the way that people are treating cigarettes lately
They're taking advantage of your small little nature
Complaining that people are bullying cigarettes
They're blaming you for cancer when you can still get
Pointing out that there are other foods and substances that can cause health problems
Cholesterol from butter and fat from lard and bacon
Examples of unhealthy foods
And all these meats and cheeses that are causing heart attacks and tumors
Listing some of the negative health impacts associated with certain foods
Why are they picking on you, oh sly cigarette?
Asking why cigarettes are being singled out for blame
it's not fair, somebody has to protest!
Declaring that the situation is unjust and someone needs to speak out
And get back to normality again
Urging a return to a time when smoking was more socially acceptable
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind