To the Other Man

Hey Mama, hey Mama

Mama used to take me across her lap

She used to whip me with a strap

When I was bad

I didn't know at the time

Being bad could lead to crime

But now I'm glad

Well, she kept me on the double

I stayed out of trouble

Now I understand

She said, "Son, you gotta give a heck

Promise you'll always give respect

To the other man"

When I used to make fun of others

She'd say, "No not to your brothers"

And that ain't all (that ain't all)

"When someone is feeling low

Think of the nicest things you know

To make them feel tall"

I'll never forget what Mama said

When she kneeled down and prayed

For my father's guiding hand

"Throw your arms around his neck

Make him proud to give respect

To the other man"

Whoa, now that I'm a man (now that I'm a man)

God has taken my mother's hand (God has taken my mother's hand)

And now I'll carry on

Oh, sometimes I'll have to weep

Mother's love I'll always keep

'Cause she made me strong

And if I should ever have a son (if I should ever have a son)

We're gonna have lots of fun (we're gonna have lots of fun)

And I'll teach him up to understand

She said, "Son, you gotta give a heck

Promise you'll always give respect

To the other man"

She said, "Son, you gotta give a heck (you gotta give respect)

Promise you'll always give respect" (and I know, I know, I know what my mother would tell me)

She said, "Son, you gotta give a heck (you gotta give respect)

Promise you'll always give respect"

She said, "Son, you gotta give a heck (you gotta give respect now)

Promise you'll always give respect" (and I know, I know, I know what my mother would tell me)

She said, "Son, you gotta give a heck (you gotta give respect)

Promise you'll always give respect"

She said, "Son, you gotta give a heck

Promise you'll always give respect

To the other man"