Never Set the Cat on Fire
Words and music by Frank Hayes © 1986


C                              F    G      C
Never set the cat on fire--you only will annoy it.
                                           F              G
The heat will make the beast perspire; she surely won't enjoy it.
    F             C                 F          G
Likewise do not ignite the dog, the snake, the gerbil or the frog.
    C             G      C
No, never set the cat on fire.

Chorus:
	    F    G    C           F             G
	And mind your manners, as circumstances may require,
	    C             G      C
	And never set the cat on fire.

C                                  F      G       C
Don't open up the cabin hatch--the air is sure to leave it.
                                   F            G
And air is very hard to catch; you never will retrieve it.
    F                     C                   F          G
And though you think your life's a bore don't open the reactor door.
      C           G      C
Don't open up the cabin hatch.

	    F    G    C           F             G
	And mind your manners, as circumstances may require,
	    C             G      C
	And never set the cat on fire.

C                                  F         G       C
Don't change the navigator's data--someone's sure to see ya.
                                       F         G
You know the captain's view of that: a very bad idea.
    F               C               F            G
He doesn't want his ship to race forever lost in endless space.
      C              G       C
Don't change the navigator's data.

	    F    G    C           F             G
	And mind your manners, as circumstances may require,
	    C             G      C
	And never set the cat on fire.

C                                   F      G       C
Don't start an interstellar war, it has no helpful uses.
                                             F           G
When people ask you, "What's it for?" you'll only make excuses.
   F           C                     F              G
If 30 trillion folks get hurt you'll go to bed with no dessert.
      C             G       C
Don't start an interstellar war.

	    F    G    C           F             G
	And mind your manners, as circumstances may require,
	    C             G      C
	And never set the cat on fire.
	     F    G    C           F             G
	Yes, mind your manners, as circumstances may require,
	    C             G      C
	And never set the cat on fire.