The Parent and Child Quadrille

Could you be a little better?

Could you be a little more?

Could you stand up straight, speak clearly,

Pick your clothes up off the floor.

Could you, would you, will you, won't you?

Can you be the perfect child?

Could you walk a little quicker?

Could you smile a sweeter smile?

Could you eat up all your dinner-

Chewing quietly the while?

Could you be polite and grateful?

Always say 'thank you' and 'please'?

Could you keep your bedroom tidy-

And have shiny, shiny knees?

Will you, won't you, will you, won't you

Oh why don't you try to be the perfect child?

Will you go to bed on order?

Will you fall asleep when told?

Will you leap out when you're called for-

Be a JOY to behold?

Will you work so hard at lessons

That you get a perfect score?

Be superb at spelling, sums and science

Do your homework. Ask for more?

Will you always make the extra effort?

Have gleaming teeth and shining hair.

And if you end up in Emergency please have

spotless underwear

Can't you be like the kids on telly - act as it you're

on an ad?

Be well behaved and clever and make a humble

parent glad?

You can really have no notion how delightful it would be

If you do all you are asked to - and you do it perfectly.

So be not wild, oh errant child, but be serious, be grave

Be sensible, be superior, be SILENT

oh...BEHAVE.