Mama Don't 'Low - Folklorist

“Mama Don't 'Low”

Description

"Mama don't 'low no banjo playin 'round here... Well, I don't care what mama don't 'low, Gonna play my banjo anyhow...." Mama forbids all sorts of things, from jazz playing to motorcycle riding, but the singer is not discouraged

Notes

The Brown text is very distinct from the common, bluegrass/jazz-type arrangements of this piece; the first verse and chorus are"

Well, I get up in the morning,

See no rain;

Looked in the pantry,

See the same old thing.

Mama don't allow no low down hanging around.

Chorus:

Mama don't allow it,

Sister don't care.

Papa don't 'low it,

Won't have it here.

Mama don't low no low down hanging around.

But the ending is familiar: "Well, I don't care What your mama don't 'low, Gonna have fun anyhow." Clearly the same song, with the popular texts presumably a modern adaption. - RBW

Cross references

cf. "Johnny and Jane" (lyrics)

Recordings

Allen Bros., "No Low Down Hanging 'Round" (Bluebird B-5448, 1934)
Connie Boswell & her Swing Band, "Mama Don't Allow It" (Decca 747, 1936)
Smilie Burnett, "Mama Don't Like Music" (Perfect 13011, 1934)
Bill Boyd & his Cowboy Ramblers, "Mama Don't Like No Music" (Bluebird B-5855, 1935)
Charlie Jackson, "Mama Don't Allow It" (Paramount 12296, 1925)
Riley Puckett, "Mama Don't Allow No Low Down Hanging Around" (Columbia 15261-D, 1928)

References