When I was only four years old my Mamma said to me
Karl, when you grow up, be just what you want to be
Be a doctor or a lawyer with your silver speaking tongue
A carpenter, a counselor, or educate the young
There's just one thing I forbid you
Just one thing you can't become
And this ban I lay on you, son is, don't be dumb.
Don't be dumb, don't be dumb, don't be stupid as they come
Don't be gullible or blind, or ignorant of lies
Don't be troubled by the walk you take while chewing on your gum
Don't be a foolish, don't be clueless, don't be dumb.
When I'd gotten older, just about nine or ten
I went to get my schooling, all my how's and why's and when's
My teacher's taught me secrets all about this universe
They told me make it better, don't ever make it worse
When I asked them how to do it
They said here's a rule of thumb
Be attentive be creative, don't be dumb
Don't be dumb, don't be dumb, don't be stupid as they come
Not an addle-minded fool, or a dunce upon a stool
Don't be outsmarted by the little baby sucking on his thumb
Don't be a foolish, don't be clueless, don't be dumb.
Now, when I had grown up, and just become a man
I came across a beggar, he was handling a pan
I asked him what had brought him down unto this lowly place
He looked at me reluctantly with shame upon his face
He said, once I was a rich man
Once I held life's golden plum
But I didn't listen to the ones who told me, don't be done
Don't be dumb, don't be dumb, don't be stupid as they come
Don't be always in the dark, and don't be an easy mark
Don't be one of those the Lord gave not the brains to be a bum
Don't be a foolish, don't be clueless, don't be dumb.
I came upon a vision, 'twas a woman passing fair
Honey-velvet was her skin and raven was her hair
I asked her if she would be mine through all eternity
She took my hand and kissed me and these words she said to me
If you really can't discern
The way my feelings run
Then all that I can tell you, love, is, don't be dumb.
Don't be dumb, don't be dumb, don't be stupid as they come
Don't be wet behind the ears, or young beyond your years
Don't be troubled by the walk you take while chewing on your gum
Don't be foolish, don't be clueless, don't be dumb.
Don't be inept, Don't be inane, don't be dumb
Don't be a dunderheaded donkey, don't be dumb
Don't be a fool, don't be a mule, don't be dumb
Don't be foolish, don't be clueless, don't be dumb!
Shotgun Johnson & the Mississippi Seven Lyrics Index
Shotgun Johnson & the Mississippi Seven Index