HOW COULD RED RIDING HOOD 
(HAVE BEEN SO VERY GOOD AND STILL KEEP THE WOLF FROM THE DOOR)
(Alfred Pace Randolph)


The Yacht Club Boys - 1926





When we were young, but old enough for us to understand
We all believed in fairies and the folks in fairyland
But the modern child is runnin' wild, he wants to know too much
He's never understood about Red Riding Hood

Say, how could little Red Ridin' Hood have been so very good
And still keep the wolf from the door
Father and Mother, she had none
So where in the world did the money come from
Please let me ask it, who filled her basket
The story books never tell
Now, they say that she found a great big wolf in Granny's bed
And he had a great big sun bonnet pulled down over his head
But you know and I know what she must've found instead
Say, how could little Red Ridin' Hood have been so very good
And still keep the wolf from the door

How could Red Riding Hood have been so very good
And still keep the wolf from the door
Why was she dressed up in her bright flaming red
Unless she expected to knock someone dead
Why did she ramble, she knew 'twas a gamble
She was out in the woods for no good
They say she was a maid most discreet (Yeah?)
And there's no doubt about it, she must've been sweet
But you know and I know that even sweet girls must eat
Oh, how could little Red Ridin' Hood have been so very good
And still keep the wolf from the door

I ask you how could little Red Riding Hood have been so very good
And still keep the wolf from the door
I've heard of many strange things in New York
But who ever heard of a wolf that could talk
I hate to doubt it, but there's something about it
That sounds mighty funny to ????
(Say, I don't believe any one of those fairy tales)
You don't?
(I don't believe 'em. You believe 'em?)
I believe all fairy tales
(And I'd like to ask you, 
who was the father of all the little children 
of the woman that lived in the shoe?)
Jack the Giant Killer!
How could little Red Ridin' Hood have been so very good
And still keep the wolf from the door






(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - November 2013)