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-ow-wow-wow-wow-wow-wow, 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"