Give a man a fish, and he'll eat for a day...

Give a man a fish, and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he'll have cats following him round for ever.

Give a man a light for his fire and he'll be warm for a day. Set fire to him and he'll be warm for all the rest of his life.

Give a fish a day and he'll eat a man.

O Lutefisk, O Lutefisk - The Lutefisk Song
(Music: O Tannenbaum, German Folk Song)

1. O Lutefisk, O Lutefisk, how fragrant your aroma,
O Lutefisk, O Lutefisk, you put me in a coma.
You smell so strong, you look like glue,
You taste just like an overshoe,
But lutefisk, come Saturday,
I tink I eat you anyway

2. O Lutefisk, O lutefisk, I put you in the dooway.
I wanted you to ripen up just like they do in Norway.
A dog came by and sprinkled you.
I hit him with my overshoe.
O lutefisk, now I suppose
I'll eat you while I hold my nose.

3. O Lutefisk, O lutefisk, how well I do remember.
On Christmas Eve how we'd receive our big treat of December.
It wasn't turkey or fried ham.
It wasn't even pickled Spam.
My mother knew there was no risk
In serving buttered lutefisk.

4. O Lutefisk, O lutefisk, now everyone discovers
That lutefisk and lefse make Norwegians better lovers.
Now all the world can have a ball.
You're better than that Geritol.
O lutefisk, with brennevin [Norwegian brandy]
You make me feel like Errol Flynn.

5. O Lutefisk, O lutefisk, you have a special flavor.
O Lutefisk, O lutefisk, all good Norwegians savor.
That slimy slab we know so well
Identified by ghastly smell.
O Lutefisk, O lutefisk,
Our loyalty won't waver.

6. O lutefisk, O lutefisk, when my poor heart stops beating
The pearly gates will open wide, I'll see the angels eating
From steaming platters of the stuff, and there will always be enough
O piece of cod that I adore, O lutefisk forevermore!