Hap Palmer
Tiger With a Toothbrush
There's a tiger with a toothbrush standing next to me
He has a brush like mine but it's three times a big
I squeeze him extra paste because he likes the taste
Then we brush our teeth together as we dance a jig
Tiger shakes his stripes and swings his slender tail
And bounces to the rhythm as he purrs and hums
He pats his furry paws and taps his curving claws
Then gives a happy "grrr" as he cleans his gums
That rascal keeps me laughing
Singing as we're cleaning, ho, ho, ho, ho
I love to brush my teeth and gums
Whenever my friend Tiger comes
Tiger makes me giggle as he twists and turns his lips
And shifts his chin to brush in every little place
Front, back, top, side, everywhere the plaque hides
He puffs his cheeks and brushes with a funny face
When it's time to brush my teeth
I skip up to the sink
My parents stare in disbelief
They don't know what to think
They used to nudge and nag me
"Brush your teeth!"
I hollered No!
Now they can't believe how cheerfully I go
That rascal keeps me laughing
Singing as we're cleaning, ho, ho, ho, ho
I love to brush my teeth and gums
Whenever my friend Tiger comes
When mom or dad peek in they never see my friend
They think I'm all alone just playing make-believe
'Cause when adults are near, my tiger disappears
But he comes back to brush when all the grown-ups leave
Yes, he comes back to brush when all the grown-ups leave