Don't Drive Your Mama Away - Shirley Caesar

There was a mother that had two sons

One of the boys was interesting in his self

This son loved his mother so very much.

He said mama one day I going to grow up and going to college

I'll going to be somebody

I'll going to take care of you mama

Like you been taking care of me.

Oh

That other brother he was no good he stayed in trouble all the time

Mama always had to go to court and get the boy out of trouble.

But I am told tonight those boys grew up

One went to college

That no good son left home

That old mother worked her finger to the bone

And sent that boy to school

She gets on her knee and scrub floors

She took in washing and ironing

I want

I want

I want my boy to be somebody

After about 8 long years

That some came back home

He said mama I am a doctor now

I got MD behind my name

I want you to meet my wife

I met her while I was in college

She is a school teacher mama

Yes she is

They told that mama we want you to come and live with us and help us raise our children

The years went on by

I wish I had a praying church

And that the children grew up

One day that school teacher went to her husband

She said honey your mama is in the way now

She gets in the away around the house

She uses bad English I don't want it to rub off on my little children

I think you ought to put her in a old folk home

Somebody say yeah

Yeah

Let me tell you what he did

The doctor went to his poor mama

He said mama!

Mama!

So me and my wife been talking and she seem to feel that

Mama that you're getting in the way around the house

We don't have anything else for you to do

You using bad English we don't want you to rub on our children

I am going to take you to an old folk home

Yes I am

Somebody say yeah

I got to take you to an old folk home

Well that mother turn around and went back into her own room

Tears running down her face

She began to pack all of her clothes

The devil came and whisper in her ear

See there old lady

Look at all you done for that boy and now he about to throws you out the door

The mother kept on crying

Early the next morning the some came and knocks on the door

He said Mama get your stuff together the limousine is waiting outside

The mama reaches back and got her hat and coat

She walked outside the house

She got in that long long long

She got in that long limousine

Yes she did

They started down the road

Mama just kept on crying

Every now and then the doctor looked back at mama

He said, mama in your room out there

I wish you help me out there

You're going to have a color TV

You will have nurses around the clock

You going to have everything that you want

That mama kept on crying

Yes

Mama I'm sorry I got to do this

Halleluiah

I go to put you in an old folk home

The mother turns and said with tears running down her face

She said son I could understand

If I was sick and could not help myself

But there is nothing wrong with me

Doctor said I know but I got to put you in an old folk home

You understand me and the wife

About the time they almost got to the old folk home

That mama looked down the road

About the time the car got closer

That mother said wait a minute wait a minute son

I believe that I saw my boy going there

They got out

Greeted on another with a kiss

That no good son said mama how have been you doing?

I was on my way home to see you

I was on the say to tell you

I do not do what I use to do

I stop by a church on night and I got the holy ghost

Stay in

Then he turned around and saw his brother

He said brother where are taking my mama?

I got to know where you going with mama

And the doctor said now waits a minute

After all you've been gone

And I am the one who been here taken care of mama

Say, in case if mama did not tell you

I am a doctor now

I am somebody

In just in case if you want to know something else

I'm tired of mama praying, moaning and groaning in her bedroom

Every time when my friends com to the house

Well we on our way to the old folk home

Yes

That no good son of said did you say you are taking mama to the old folk home?

He said yes

Wait a minute. Mama

I do not live in fine home

Listen mama

I got one good room

You could have my bed

But come on and go home with me mama

Yeah

Mama I don't eat steaks

I eat beans and green potatoes and tomatoes

Yes I do

If that is alright with you

You don't have to go the old folk home

Come on and go home with me mama

Mama. I am not riding in a long limousine

My car is not much good

But I got a good seat right by there

Come on and go home with me mama

God gave you your mama.

Don't drive her away

God gave you your mama.

Don't drive her away

If you drive her away

You're gonna need her help one day

I'm no stranger, don't drive me away. I'. no stranger don't drive me away.

You're gonna need my help someday

I'm no stranger, don't drive me away.