The Ad-dressing Of Cats (From The Motion Picture Soundtrack "Cats")

You've heard of several kinds of cat And my opinion now is that: You should need no interpreter to understand our character You've learned enough to take the view That cats are very much like you You've seen us both at work and games And learnt about our proper names Our habits and our habitat But how would you address a cat? [Chours: Judi Dench & Company] So first, your memory I'll jog And say: a cat is not a dog So first, your memory I'll jog And say: a cat is not a dog [Verse 2: Judi Dench] With cats, some say one rule is true Don't speak 'til you are spoken to Myself I do not hold with that I say, you should address a cat But always bear in mind that he resents familiarity You bow, and taking off your hat, address him in this form: "Oh, Cat" "Oh, Cat" Before a cat will condescend to treat you as a trusted friend Some little token of esteem is needed, like a dish of cream Oh, you might now and then supply Some caviar or Strasbourg pie Some potted grouse or salmon paste He's sure to have his personal taste And so in time you reach your aim And call him by his name [Chorus: Company] A cat's entitled to expect these evidences of respect So this is this, and that is that And that's how you address a cat