I [bad word]  be a little catfish
So I could swim way down
In the sea-ee
I would have somebody, somebody
Settin' out hooks for me
Settin' out a hook for me
hook for -

You know I went
To my baby's house
She told me to sit down
On her step
'Sir, you [bad word] right on in
Because my
Husband just now left
He just now left
He just now -

An I, asked my baby
To let me sit down
'Side her bed
Turn on yo' heater, baby
'Till it turn cherry red
Cherry red
Red an cherry red

That's the reason [bad word] 
Be a little catfish
So I could swim way down
In the sea-ee
I would have netted
Some of these women
Settin' out a line for me
Settin' out their line for me
line for -

You know I went
To the church house
And they called on
Me to pray-ay
I got down on my knees
But I didn't, no
Have no word to say
Not a word to say
No word to say

That's the reason [bad word] 
Be a little catfish
So I could swim
Way down in the sea-ee
I would have somebody, somebody
Settin' out a line for me
Settin' out a line for me
line for -

I don't wanna
Be no tadpole
And I don't want ta be
No bullfrog
An if I can't be
Be your catfish
I won't swim at all
No, I won't swim at all
No, swim at -

That's the reason I want ta
Be a little catfish
So I could swim way down
In the sea-ee
I would have these goodlookin' women
Settin' out a hook for me
Settin' out a hook for me
hook for. -