Well, the readin' and the writin' 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 to 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?      Oh, 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 momma said I oughta go to bed   I turn out all the lights      But my sweetie pie was waitin' right outside   She'd be a coolin' 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 to 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      Oh, 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