Heredity-Environment

[Chorus]
Environment, environment
The tree will grow as the twig is bent
A theory, I've heard of it
But I don't believe a word of it

[Verse 1]
My father grew up helter-skelter
His childhood was ragged and rough
Of clothing and vittles and shelter
He never had nearly enough

[Verse 2]
He might have grown up a malfeasant
A scoundrel who gambled and drank
But he grew up honest and decent
Although his environment stank

[Verse 3]
He married my virtuous mother
A lady as noble as he
In time she gave birth to none other
Than good old unscrupulous me

[Chorus]
Environment, environment
The tree will grow as the twig is bent
A theory, I've heard of it
But I don't believe a word of it

[Verse 4]
My father's so meek that it's criminal
Incredibly gentle and mild
To hear him hum hymns from a hymnal
You'd never believe I'm his child

[Verse 5]
No matter how far you may go back
Our family tree does us proud
I can't very well be a throwback
There isn't a bum in the crowd

[Verse 6]
Great grandpa was bashful and sober
Great grandma was pure as a shrine
Thank God for one crazy October
For that was the end of a line

[Chorus]
Environment, environment
The tree will grow as the twig is bent
A theory, I've heard of it
But I don't believe a word of it

[Verse 7]
They raised me with love and devotion
Environment simply divine
Between them they haven't a notion
How I could grow up such a swine

[Verse 8]
Environment, heredity
A man can be what he wants to be
Be firm, be calm, be sensible
And you too can be reprehensible!