Red Beans & Rice
(Michael Franti, Mary Harris)


I don't eat no meat beacuse I'm am a vegetarian
I like ice cream, but not much dairy
'Cause it gets in my nose, it makes me gotta blows
Snot like a farmer and it gets on my clothes

It's rather unsightly, can even be frightening
But cold medication should not be taken nightly
Because everything I put in comes out again
And if I eat lean, it helps me stay thin

So check out my hair, I keep it dreaded
About my corn? I like it breaded
Hot from the oven? Mmmm, you said it!
Straight to the stomach my fuel is unleaded

But not fossil fuels,  I like olive oil
I like my eggs scrambled and I never eat 'em boiled
The way to my heart is with a garlic clove
It smells hella sexy when it's on the kitchen stove

(chorus:)
Red beans and rice, red beans and rice
Red beans and rice make everything nice
Red beans and rice, red beans and rice
Red beans and rice I could eat a plate twice

But if a friend has gas, then he's passin'
It gives me a headache end I gotta take aspirin
It makes me dizzy, I fix him fizzies
To calm his stomach when it's feelin kinda dizzy

Some like it white, but I like it brown
I like spicy tofu, and I can throw it down
Chilis come red, and chilis come green
When it's on the table, I lick my plate clean

Then I drink a toast to the host and hostess
But first we give thanks to God, the mostest
'Cause if I am a guest, I always wash my plate
A sip a sip a soda while I sing Amazing Grace

The rings on my fingers are left round the tub
With a base fulla bubbles bumpin' like a wash tub
Thinkin' about my troubles goin' down the drain
Dryin' up the puddles in the back of my brain
But...

(chorus)

Amazing grace how sweet the sound that
saved a wretch like me
Dammit let's eat!
Mi casa es su casa. Mi cocina es su cocina.
you know what I meana!

(bridge 2X:)
Get some boilin' water! Yeah!
Get a pound of beans! Yeah!
Get some spice and make it nice! Yeah!
You know what I mean!

Most people on the planet eat beans and rice
Some can't afford beef or they think cows are nice
If you talk table manners don't believe all they told ya
I eat with my fingers like an African soldier

I don't know which fork is for meat or for salad
I haven't got a clue when they say "whet your palate"
Eat a lot a prunes, it'll keep you loose
Skin'll turn orange if you drink carrot juice

I think beef jerky tastes like a boot
When I'm on the street I chew a licorice root
And if I have a soar throat, then I eat ginger
And I will break bread with those who are strangers

So come into my cave, tonight I will show you
Food is for life, and life I will show you
If you're havin' problems, I invite you here
Step into my kitchen we will cook away your fears

(chorus)

(bridge)