Fat Cat

Lyric by Clive James, music by Pete Atkin


I know a fat cat, fatter than me
That cat leads a life of luxury
All he can eat, all he can eat
All he can eat for free

I know a fat cat, fatter than a fat pig
Few can believe that this cat is that big
All he can eat, all he can eat
All he can eat for free

The sensual expression
Of utter self-possession
His quality of thereness
Arouses an awareness
Of a life lived to the full
He couldn't fight a ball of wool
Forgotten how
Bigger than a small cow
Can't stretch his paws
Spoiled by the applause
Once got up to take a bow
But he couldn't do it now

This cat is so fat he's a hill on the floor
Had to get the builders, he got stuck in a door
They said they'd shifted boulders
That cooperated more

This cat purrin'
Sounds like a diesel truck
Spends a day barely stirrin'
Couldn't give a
Monkeys are more active
But they're just not as attractive

As this fat cat - couldn't catch a slow mouse
Eats filet mignon - it's all on the house
I got a cat flap other cats sail through
This cat on the other hand can't get its tail through
All he can eat, all he can eat
All he can eat for free
All he can eat, all he can eat
All he can eat for free

You can pick him up and stroke him
But you might need a crane
The only thing that ever woke him
Was the whistle of the gravy train
Put your finger out and poke him
It's like pushin' at a cushion
With not a sign of passion or of pain

Except about food
Food food food
He's always in the mood
For meat meat meat
All he can eat
Eat sleep and eat again
Listening to music
Practising the way of Zen
All he can eat
All he can eat for free, free, free
Free of the worry
The worry of the world of men
Never in a hurry
Never has to work again
Bordering on decadence
What a way to be
All he can eat, all he can eat for free
All he can eat, all he can eat
All he can eat, and he can eat
All he can eat, all he can eat for free

Pete Atkin Discography