Well, readin' and writin' and arithmetic Never did get through to me It ain't because I'm square or thick 'Cause I learned my A-B-C But when I graduated from the grammar school And I moved one grade above I began to be a snook at books But I made straight A's in love Now the teacher would say Learn your algebra But I'd bring home C's and D's How could I make an A When there's a swingin' maid On the left and on the right And in the back and the front of me All my grades are low On my card I know But they oughta give me one above If they'd give me a mark For learnin' in the dark I'd have straight A's in love Now, in my senior year With graduation near I did my homework every night And when my mama said I oughta go to bed I'd turn out all the lights But my sweetie pie Was waitin' right outside She'd be a cooin' like a dove Though I did my best I failed semester test But I made straight A's in love Now the teacher would say Learn your algebra But I'd bring home C's and D's How could I make an A When there's a swingin' maid On the left and on the right And in the back and the front of me All my grades are low On my card I know But they oughta give me one above If they'd give me a mark For learnin' in the dark I'd have straight A's in love