WHAT DOES THE PUSSY CAT MEAN WHEN SHE SAYS "ME-OW" (1924)
Words and music by Harry Pease, N. T. Granlund and Ed. G. Nelson.
Melbourne: Allan & Co., ©1924.
As sung by Billy Jones & Ernest Hare (The Happiness Boys)

VERSE 1: I went to school; that's how I got my knowledge.
Well, that's nothing great, 'cause I went all through college.
I know one thing that that you can't answer me.
Well, what can that one thing be?

CHORUS 1: What does the pussycat mean when she says, "Meow"?
Why the same as the little dog means when he says, "Bow-wow."
I know that hay means horses,
And marriage means divorces,
But what does the pussycat mean when she says, "Meow"?

VERSE 2: My sister May got married last December,
And that certain day you always will remember.
When the preacher said, "Honor and obey,"
The crowd began to say:

CHORUS 2: What does the pussycat mean when she says, "Meow"?
The same as the little dog means when he says, "Bow-wow."
I know that clams mean chowder,
And a shiny nose means powder,
But what does the pussycat mean when she says, "Meow"?

BRIDGE: I know that church means Sunday and that Friday means a fish.
I know that wash means Monday and a platter means a dish.
I know a boy means mister and a girlie means a miss,
And when her lips touch his lips then I know it means a kiss.
A baby means a rattle and a barrel means a keg,
And when a chicken cackles, you can tell she's laid an egg.
I know that green means Irish and that Irish means a cop.
Limburger means a Dutchman and spaghetti means a wop.

CHORUS 3: So what does the pussycat mean when she says, "Meow"?
The same as the little dog means when he says, "Bow-wow."
I know that rain means water,
And two bits mean a quarter,
But what does the pussycat mean when she says, "Meow"?


[The word "wop" would be unacceptable today.]