I say oh, misery
Shame and scandal in the family
Oh, misery
Shame and scandal in the family
Down in Trinidad there was a family
With much confusion as you will see
A mama and a papa and a boy who was grown
He wanted to marry and have a wife of his own
He found a girl, she suited him nice
He went to his father to ask his advice
His father said, "Son, I have to say no
The girl is your sister, but your mama don't know"
Oh, misery
Shame and scandal in the family
I say oh, misery
Shame and scandal in the family
Oh, then a week went by and the summer came down
Soon the best girl on the island he found
He went to his papa to make it a date

His papa shook his head and to this, he did say
"You can't marry that girl, I have to say no
'Cause the girl is your sister, but your mama don't know"
Oh, misery
Shame and scandal in the family
I say oh, misery
It's shame and scandal in the family
He went to his mama, he covered his head
He told his mum what his father had said
His mother, she laughed, she said, "Go man, go
Your daddy ain't your daddy, but your daddy don't know"
Oh, misery
It's shame and scandal in the family
Oh, misery
Shame and scandal in the family
I say oh, misery
Shame and scandal in the family
I say oh, misery
Shame and scandal in the family