You can hear this version at The Internet Archive:


MAMA DON'T ALLOW IT
As recorded by Washboard Sam, 1935.

1. Yes, Mama don't 'low no necklace-showin' in here.
Yes, Mama don't 'low no necklace-showin' in here.
Says we don't care what the mama don't 'low.
We gon' show our necklace anyhow.
Mama don't 'low no necklace-showin' in here.

2. Yes, Mama don't 'low no guitar-playin' in here.
Yes, Mama don't 'low no guitar-playin' in here.
Says we don't care what the mama don't 'low.
We gon' play our guitars anyhow.
Mama don't 'low no guitar-playin' in here.

SPOKEN: Mama don't 'low no guitar-playin' in here.
Play your guitar,
Mister Big Bill.

3. Mama don't 'low no struttin' in here.
Yes, Mama don't 'low no struttin' in here.
Says we don't care what the mama don't 'low.
We gon' strut our stuff anyhow.
Mama don't 'low no struttin' in here.

4. Yes, Mama don't 'low no shimmy-shakin' here.
Yes, Mama don't 'low no shimmy-shakin' here.
Says we don't care what the mama don't 'low.
We gon' shake our shimmy anyhow.
Mama don't 'low no shimmy-shakin' here.

SPOKEN: Mama don't 'low no shimmy-shakin' here.
You can't shake your shimmy, shake some'n' else.
Play it, Mister Bob.

5. Yes, Mama don't 'low no breakin'-down in here.
Yes, Mama don't 'low no breakin'-down in here.
Says we don't care what the mama don't 'low.
We gon' break 'em down anyhow.
Mama don't 'low no breakin'-down in here.

6. Yes, Mama don't 'low no easy-woodlin' here.
Yes, Mama don't 'low no easy-woodlin' here.
Says we don't care what the mama don't 'low.
We gon' easy-woodle anyhow.
Mama don't 'low no easy-woodlin' here.


["Woodlin'" rhymes with "noodlin'." I have no idea what it means; nor do I know the significance of necklace-showin'.]