Horton-- sorry it took me so long to get this to you.

Harry Belafonte's All Time Greatest Hits Vol. 1 is available on CD. In the meantime, here are the lyrics.


MAMA LOOK A BOO BOO
Written by Lord Melody
As sung by Harry Belafonte
Copyright 1957

I wonder why nobody don't like me?
Or is it de fact dat I'm ugly?
I wonder why nobody don't like me?
Or is it de fact dat I'm ugly?

I leave my old-a house and go
My children don't want me no mo'
Bad talk inside de house dey bring
And when I talk dey start to sing:

Chorus:
"Mama, look-a boo boo," dey shout;
Deir mama tell dem, "Shut up you mout',
Dat is your daddy." "Oh, no!
My daddy can't be ugly so!"
"Shut you mout', go away."
"Mama look-a boo-boo dey."
Ugh! "Shut you mout', go away."
"Mama look-a boo-boo dey."

I couldn't even digest me supper
Due to de children's behavior
"John!" "Yes, pa!" "Come here a moment,
Bring de belt, you're much too impudent."

John says it's James who started first
James tells de story in reverse
I drag me belt from off me waist
You should hear dem screaming round de place

Chorus

So I began to question de motha'
"Dese children ain't got no behavior!"
So I began to question de motha'
"Dese children ain't got no behavior!"

"Dey're playin' wit' you," my wife declare
"You should be proud of dem, my dear"
Dese children were taught to bloom and slack (?)
Dat ain't no kind o' joke to crack.

Chorus

I can’t figure out the 2nd to last line. Suggestions, anyone?