Mercer and Meat

Not long ago, I heard a curious song penned by American standards wordsmith and singer Johnny Mercer. It’s called “Save the Bones for Henry Jones” and it seems to immortalize an omnivore-pescetarian-flexitarian-locavore-possible vegetarian. Not the usual subject of a song. The tune to which the words are sung is a jaunty one, although I can’t say I’ve come across many (or any) modern covers. Henry Jones remains a creature of the past, but also a man ahead of his time. Here are the lyrics; make of them what you will. I’m left wondering: Did Henry really eat the bones? Read on and decide (or not) for yourself. Soup’s on.

We’re gonna have a supper
We’ll eat some food that’s rare
And at the head of the table
We’ll place brother Henry’s chair
Invite all the local big dogs
We’ll laugh and talk and eat
But we’ll save the bones for Henry Jones
‘Cause Henry don’t eat no meat

Today I’ll go to market
Buy up a lotta fish
Well, that will thrill brother Henry
‘Cause fish is his special dish
Get a large can of molasses
Have something really sweet
But we’ll save the bones for Henry Jones
‘Cause Henry don’t eat no meat

Henry is not a drinker
He rarely takes a nip
He don’t need a napkin
‘Cause the things he eats don’t drip’blip!
One day we had a banquet
It really was a bake
They started off with short ribs
Then finished off with steak
But when the feast was over
Brother Henry just kept his seat
And we served the bones to Henry Jones
‘Cause Henry don’t eat no meat

Our banquet was most proper
Right down to demitasse
From soup to lox and bagels
And pheasant under glass’class!
We thought the chops were mellow
He said his chops were beat’reet!
We served the bones to Henry Jones
‘Cause Henry don’t eat no meat
He’s an egg man
Henry don’;t eat no meat
He loves a pullet
Henry don’t eat no meat
A vegetarian
Henry?
Coming mother!
Soup’s on