When I was a little boy
Around the table at home
I remember very well
When company would come
I would have to be right still
Until the whole crowd ate
My mama always said to me
"Jim, take a tater and wait!"
Now taters never did taste good
With chicken on the plate
But I had to eat 'em just the same
That is why I look so bad
And have these puny ways
Because I always had to take
An old cold tater and wait!
And then the preachers, they would come
To stay awhile with us
I would have to slip around
And raise a little fuss
In fear that I would spill the beans
Or break a china plate
My mama always said to me
"Jim, take a tater and wait!"
Now taters never did taste good
With chicken on the plate
But I had to eat 'em just the same
That is why I look so bad
And have these puny ways
Because I always had to take
An old cold tater and wait!
Well I thought that I'd starve to death
Before my time would come
All that chicken they would eat
And just leave me the bone
The feet and neck were all that's left
Upon the china plate
It makes you pretty darn weak
To take an old cold tater and wait!
Well, taters never did taste good
With chicken on the plate
But I had to eat 'em just the same
That is why I look so bad
And have these puny ways
Because I always had to take
An old cold tater and wait!
