Philadelphia Phonographic School

Philadelphia Phonographic School Back about 1903 A parrot was the pet to be But teaching Pretty Polly speech Real words – not just a screech Took some patience – took some time For Pretty Polly just to mime The teacher must stay out of sight As phrase and words they would recite Repeating them a thousand times Before the light in Polly shines So the Philadelphia Phonographic School Of Language for Parrots was the tool A phonograph was left that plays Your choice of words for days and days You had to pay for room and board Six months – eight pounds – and your reward Was Pretty Polly speaking words Repeating everything she heard But parrots live for sixty years For sixty years your poor-poor ears Will hear those same words every day Until they carry you away Or place you in a padded room Citing Pretty Polly as your doom