Sheet Music, 1920-1929
Title
(You May be Fast but) Your Mamma's Gonna Slow You Down / music by Buddy Cooper; words by Gil Wells
Preview
Files
Download Full Text (812 KB)
ISBN
MUM00682, 0311
Description
Cover: silhouette drawing of a rolling pin wielding Caucasian female holding onto a Caucasian male; Publisher: Stark and Cowan (New York)
Subject Headings (Library of Congress)
Songs -- United States -- 20th Century; Popular Music -- United States
Relational Format
music score
Original Format
scores
Original Collection
Sheldon Harris Collection (MUM00682), Archives and Special Collections, University of Mississippi Libraries
Finding Aid
Lyrics
Lyrics:
First verse
You've heard them talk about sweet papas That wouldn't spend a night at home They go roaming in the gloaming Leaving their mamas alone I know a man staaarted stepping Stepping out every night Till his sweet mama said sweet papa Let me put you right.First
Chorus
You may be fast but you won't last, Cause your mama's gonna slow you down. You may roam away from home But your mama's gonna hang around If you think you can leave me flat Think that you can stay away. I'll know where to find you at Ev'ry decoration day If you go I surely know I'm never gonna wear a frown And if you think you're big enough to black my eyes I'm gonna get myself a razor cut you down to my size You may be fast but you won't last Because your mama's gonna slow you down. You may be fast but you won't last, Cause your mama's gonna slow you down. You may roam away from home But your mama's gonna hang around If you think you can leave me flat Think that you can stay away. I'll know where to find you at Ev'ry decoration day If you go I surely know I'm never gonna wear a frown And if you think you're big enough to black my eyes I'm gonna get myself a razor cut you down to my size You may be fast but you won't last Because your mama's gonna slow you down.
Second verse
I never seemed to find sweet papa who wouldn't run around at night They'd be leaving, I'd be grievin' Sittin' in the candle light I lost my good disposition Kept getting nearer each day My papa crossed me, double crossed me So I had to say.
Second chorus
You may be fast but you won't last Cause your mama's gonna slow you down. You may roam away from home But your mama's gonna hang around Graveyard bound you sure will be found Minister will then begin. If you don't think you're sinkin babe Just look at the hole you're in When you leave why I won't grieve I'm never gonna wear a frown Cause I remember when you got here from the South You were so raggedy you had your money hid in your mouth You may be fast but you won't last Because your mama's gonna slow you down. You may be fast but you won't last Cause your mama's gonna slow you down. You may roam away from home But your mama's gonna hang around Graveyard bound you sure will be found Minister will then begin. If you don't think you're sinkin babe Just look at the hole you're in When you leave why I won't grieve I'm never gonna wear a frown Cause I remember when you got here from the South You were so raggedy you had your money hid in your mouth You may be fast but you won't last Because your mama's gonna slow you down.
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Some of the images and language that appear in the digital collections depict prejudices that are not condoned by the University of Mississippi. This content is being presented as historical documentation to aid in the understanding of both American history and the history of the University of Mississippi. The University Creed speaks to our current deeply held values, and the availability of this content should not be taken as an endorsement of previous attitudes or behavior.