Lyr Req: Don't Tell Mama (Brian Burns)

Subject: Don't tell mama I'm a guitar player
From: Fiddlin' Big Al
Date: 06 Jun 00 - 04:52 AM

Had a request in 1984 that still haunts me. A fellow I met asked if I knew a song which he had once heard with the line or title "Don't tell mama I'm a guitar picker (or player), she thinks that I'm in jail." Several attempts at using my psychotic powers to write a new song around the idea succeeded - almost. Someone out there may know this one. If not, I'll keep writin'.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Don't tell mama I'm a guitar player
From: Brendy
Date: 06 Jun 00 - 05:10 AM

I've been looking around. Zilch.

Is it a Country song?

B.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Don't tell mama I'm a guitar player
From: Fiddlin' Big Al
Date: 06 Jun 00 - 06:26 PM

origin unknown ... could be c&w - or a product of the fevered brain of my friend Ray, a demented retired San Diego cop. Song lyric false memory syndrome. Hope not. Thanks.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Don't tell mama I'm a guitar player
From: ddw
Date: 06 Jun 00 - 07:32 PM

Sounds to me like something by either David Alan Coe or Steve Goodman. Sorry, other than that I have no idea.

Subject: Lyr Add: DON'T TELL MAMA (Brian Burns)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 30 Mar 03 - 10:49 PM

Lyrics copied from http://www.brianburnsmusic.com/ao_song_06.htm

DON'T TELL MAMA
(Brian Burns, © 1999 – Brian Burns Music, BMI)

I was talking to a crusty old drunk in Ft. Worth one night and I asked him what he did for a living. "I'm an oilfield worker," he replied, "but don't tell my mama, she thinks I play piano in a whorehouse." I knew there was a Brian Burns song in there somewhere. The truth about my mother is that she never failed to encourage and support my "music habit," and that's the one and only reason I stayed out of jail (well, most of the time).

CHORUS: Don't tell Mama I'm a guitar picker.
She thinks I'm just in jail.
I been dreaming up lines and ringing up rhymes
And raising all kinds of hell.
Break Mama's heart if she saw me singing
With my hair in a ponytail,
So don't tell Mama I'm a guitar picker.
She thinks I'm just in jail.

I used to be a good ol' boy,
A clean cut kid, Mama's pride and joy,
Never stayed out late, never raised no kinda Cain.
Then I bought me an old guitar
And started out picking in a smoky bar.
If Mama finds out I've gone this far,
She'll be hanging her head in shame, so-- CHORUS

Mama loves her youngest son,
But if she ever saw me on stage with Gary P. Nunn,
She'd be plowing up my corn with a double shovel.
But I love those neon lights,
And those sexy, sultry Texas nights.
If Mama finds out what I'm doing with my life,
Good God, there's gonna be trouble, so-- CHORUS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Don't Tell Mama I'm a Guitar Picker
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 30 Mar 03 - 10:52 PM

Interesting that Fiddlin' Big Al said he got the request in 1984, but the song is copyright 1999. Is there more than one song out there with the same theme?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Don't Tell Mama I'm a Guitar Picker
From: open mike
Date: 31 Mar 03 - 12:28 AM

i've seen this bumper sticker on a fire fighter's car:
" don't tell my mama I'm working at the fire house,
she thinks I play piano in a whorehouse."
I am glad momma has such a high opinion of musicians!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Don't Tell Mama I'm a Guitar Picker
From: GUEST,riverboat annie
Date: 18 Dec 04 - 01:05 AM

anyone have the Bill Caswell version?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Don't Tell Mama I'm a Guitar Picker
From: alanabit
Date: 18 Dec 04 - 05:19 AM

It is a great title and a great song. It reminds me of a similar line we buskers used variations of when we were working crowds. My version was to say, "No photos please! Oh well - if you must.. but don't send one to my Mum. She doesn't know I do this for a living. I told her that I just sell drugs to children!"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Don't Tell Mama (Brian Burns)
From: GUEST,gmurphy
Date: 18 May 10 - 01:58 PM

Bill caswell did a song on Austin City Limits John Prine and friends songwriters showcase. I can't find a copy of it or the lyrics, but I have a cassette I made of the show.