You can say no to the beggar in the street
And to the zealot with the blissed-out smile
No to the dog and the parakeet
No to the crying child

You can say no to the waiter who's pushing
The twelve-day old cole slaw
You can say no to your uncle or your brother
Your father or your father-in-law

You can answer no to a Gallup poll
And vote no in a voting booth
You can refuse the facts
You can refute the truth

No on the loan of your lawn mower
To the neighbor who lives next door
You can say no to the bartender
When he starts to pour one more

But you can’t no
No, to that woman
No, to that woman

You can say no to the bully or the boss
Fat belly with the big cigar
You can say no to the sergeant-at-arms
And the Sheriff with the shining star
You can say no to sure success
No to fame and wealth
You can say no to the devil in the desert
And you can say no to yourself

You can turn down and interview
And turn down an autograph hound
You can decline the lines
The dope dealer is passing around

You can say no the old homo
Who's tryin'a squeeze your thigh
You can say nay to the CIA
Next to the FBI

But you can’t no
No, to that woman
You can't say no
No, no, to that woman

You can give up cigarettes
Sugar and meat for Lent
You can renege on your landlord
When the time comes to pay the rent

You can say no to almost anything
You're asked to do
You can say, "No", you can say, "No way"
Or you can say, "No thank you"
You can reject a final request
Deny a desperate plea
You can say no when they ask you
To agree to surgery

Almost every single time
Negativity'll pull you through
But you're in a mess when she wants a yes
'Cause she will get it right out of you

Can't say no
No, no to that woman
Can't say no
No, no to that woman