Roy Clark’s “Ode to a Critter” – Green Message for Any Generation

Back in the early 80’s my brother had the 45 (small vinyl record) of this odd song. One day he played the song for me. That song is Roy Clark’s “Ode to a Critter”. At the time I thought it was a little funny song and nothing more. I forgot about the song and thought I’d never hear it again. In the past week I found the lyrics as well as the audio on YouTube. I’m the furthest thing from a fan of country music, but I think this song is sweet and packs a powerful message at the same time. I like that.

Lyrics to “Ode to a Critter”:

Today I met a fish who was standing on my front porch
Clapping his clipper on my door
And he said do you mind if I live a while at your house
‘Cause I can’t live in the waters anymore.

Now I also met a bird who came choking through my window
And he darn near passed out on the floor
And he said do you mind if I’d stay a while at your house
‘Cause I can’t stay in the air anymore.

I dedicate this song to the folks who brought us dark brown dirty waters
And to the ones who keep on throwing all that filthy black smoke in the air And I also dedicate it to the bird and fish who now live here at my house
‘Cause they can’t live out there anymore.

Now I also met a cow who was standing in my kitchen
Opening my refrigerator door
And she said do you mind if I fix myself a sandwich
‘Cause I can’t live on the grass anymore.

So I dedicate this song to the folks who brought us dark brown dirty waters And to the ones who keep on throwing all that filthy black smoke in the air And I also dedicate it to me and all the critters here at my house
‘Cause we can’t live out there anymore.
No, we can’t live out there anymore…