Cats and Dogs 
Inspired by Cymbeline
Lyrics
Welcome to Lud's-town
I'm your radiant queen
Yes I am a stepmother
But please don't think I'm mean
I've never spanked my child
I've never spat or had bad dreams
And though I often think of murder
I don't kill human beings
I only kill cats and dogs
I only kill cats and dogs
See that Siamese, let's burn its ears and break its knees
And put it in a boiling pot
I only kill cats and dogs
I sizzle them over logs
There's a game I like to play involving knives and my Shar-pei
That I really like a lot
Please don't get me wrong
I haven't always played this part
I used to be quite normal
Cheery, formal, very smart
Till the day I met my husband
I was shopping with a cart
I accidentally struck a dachshund
And that hardened my poor heart
I only kill cats and dogs
I only kill cats and dogs
See that little Persian, boy have I got an aversion
To the stinking feline race
I only kill cats and dogs
I drown them in lakes and bogs
When I see a terrier I want to kick its derriere
And watch the pain spread o'er its face
I know that you've just eaten
Please don't think me rude
I'll be finished shortly
And return you to your food
But if you feel uneasy,
Somewhat queasy, then you should
Have some of this fine brew I've made
It will make you feel so good
It only kills cats and dogs
It only kills cats and dogs
It can make a big Great Dane experience awful deadly pain
And it's really fun to watch
I only kill cats and dogs
I only kill cats and dogs
I can make a tasty strudel out of pieces of a poodle
I've a cozy pair of mittens fashioned from the pelts of kittens
Boy to I feel naughty when I see a little Scotty
Gee I hope I don't get caught
Because I only kill cats and dogs!
About the Song
This is one of four songs on the album that were not penned by Shakespeare. "Cats and Dogs" pokes fun at the wicked Queen from Cymbeline, who plots to poison her stepdaughter. A doctor begins to suspect that that she will use her powerful medicines "on cats and dogs / Then afterward up higher" - but the Queen issues a coy denial, saying she plans to use them on some creatures, "but none human." Oh, well that's all right then, we guess.
Jon Watson wrote the song as a comical gift to the student who portrayed the Queen in the first-ever Shakespeare at Winedale production of Cymbeline.
By the way, we are happy to report that no animals were harmed in the recording of this song, so far as we know. We did have to evict Joe's cat from the studio a few times, and she wasn't happy about it, she seems to have gotten over it.
Track Info
Lyrics and music by Jon Watson.
Musicians:
- Jon Watson - Lead vocal
- David Edwards - Piano
- Kim Nagy - Backing vocals
- Jeff Bouck - Drums
- Steph Tomlinson - Clarinet