The Rum Tum Tugger is a Curious Cat:
If you offer him pheasant he would rather have grouse.
If you put him in a house he would much prefer a flat,
If you put him in a flat then he’d rather have a house.
If you set him on a mouse then he only wants a rat,
If you set him on a rat then he’d rather chase a mouse.
Yes the Rum Tum Tugger is a Curious Cat–
And there isn’t any call for me to shout it:
For he will do
As he do do
And there’s no doing anything about it!

The Rum Tum Tugger is a terrible bore:
When you let him in, then he wants to be out;
He’s always on the wrong side of every door,
And as soon as he’s at home, then he’d like to get about.
He likes to lie in the bureau drawer,
But he makes such a fuss if he can’t get out.

Yes the Rum Tum Tugger is a Curious Cat–
And there isn’t any use for you to doubt it:
For he will do
As he do do
And there’s no doing anything about it!

The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious beast:
His disobliging ways are a matter of habit.
If you offer him fish then he always wants a feast;
When there isn’t any fish then he won’t eat rabbit.
If you offer him cream then he sniffs and sneers,
For he only likes what he finds for himself;

So you’ll catch him in it right up to the ears,
If you put it away on the larder shelf.
The Rum Tum Tugger is artful and knowing,
The Rum Tum Tugger doesn’t care for a cuddle;
But he’ll leap on your lap in the middle of your sewing,
For there’s nothing he enjoys like a horrible muddle.
Yes the Rum Tum Tugger is a Curious Cat–
And there isn’t any need for me to spout it:
For he will do
As he do do
And theres no doing anything about it!

Analysis, meaning and summary of T.S. Eliot's poem The Rum Tum Tugger

5 Comments

  1. Alina6bkid says:

    I took this poem as a schoolproject just taking any poem I could find thinking they would all be boring but I read the poem a few times and now i love this poem because I understand how T.S.Eliot is describing this cat as a curious beast and it also a little reminds me of my cat…I hope I get a good grade for this schoolproject …even if I dont it was FUN!

  2. spinnercat says:

    My cat’s just like this!

  3. Verônica says:

    I need of the translation of this song..
    please send to me with urgency
    thanks
    Verônica

  4. Lisa says:

    He’s really fantastic, John Partridge starring him in the video version of the musical play is also great.:)

  5. Emily says:

    The Rum Tum Tugger is so cool!!!!! This is my favourite poem!!!

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