Cat And Mouse Ry Cooder

[Verse 1]
Well I had an Uncle Charley, back in my hometown
Said, "Don't take no mice to be your friend
'Cause they'll wait till you're asleep and steal your money and your food
And rat you out when the police come around"
Later on I started travelling, seeing something of this world
And I learned to know a thing or two
Just because you've been told a story back in your hometown
Don't have to mean that story's always true

[Verse 2]
I remember it was winter and things were goin' bad
It rained and it snowed all day long
Nobody would feed me and I couldn't find no job
In a factory or workin' on a farm
I was laying in my suitcase and the snow was falling down
I didn't know what I was gonna do
When I heard a tiny voice out there in the dark
Saying, "Brother, can I come in there with you?"

[Verse 3]
"Well right here in my bag I got some real good cheese
And a crust of bread or two
If you let me come in, then, and get out of the snow
I'll share what I got with you"
"Don't take no mice to be your friend"
Was the rule Uncle Charley always told
But the north wind kept howling and the snow kept blowin' down
And I couldn't leave him out there in the cold