Nick Reynolds/Bob Shane/John Stewart



In Trinidad there was a family with much confusion, as you will see.

There was a mama and a papa and a son who was young,T who wanted to marry, have 

a wife of his own.

"You cannot marry that girl. I got to say 'No.' That girl is your sister but 

your mama don't know!"



Chorus:

Ah, woe, ah, me. Shame and scandal in the family. (Repeat)



So he found a young girl who suited him nice. He went to his papa to ask his 

advice.

His papa said, "Son, I got to say 'No.' That girl is your sister but your mama 

don't know!"



(Chorus)



As the weeks went by, the boy looked around. Soon the best cook on the island 

he found.

He went to his papa to name the day. His papa looked at him and at him he did 

say,

"You cannot marry that girl. I gotta say, 'No.' That girl is your sister, but 

your mama don't know!"



(Chorus)



So the years went by and he wished he was dead. He had seventeen girls and 

still wasn't wed.

When he'd ask his papa, papa would always say, "No! That girl is your sister 

but your mama don't know!"



(Chorus)



So he went to his mama and he bowed his head. Told his mama what his papa had 

said.

His mama said, "Son, go, man, go! Your papa ain't your papa but your papa don't 

know!"



(Chorus)