Belafonte is perhaps best known for singing the "Banana Boat Song", with its signature lyric "Day-O". Throughout his career, he was an advocate for civil rights and humanitarian causes.
Belafonte won three Grammy Awards (including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award), an Emmy Award, and a Tony Award. In 1989, he received the Kennedy Center Honors. He was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1994. In 2014, he received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Academy's 6th Annual Governors Awards and in 2022 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the Early Influence category and was the oldest living person to have received the honor.
http://singyoursongthemovie.com
Mama Look-A Boo Boo
Harry Belafonte Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or is it the fact that I'm ugly?
I wonder why nobody don't like me
Or is it the fact that I'm ugly?
I leave my whole house and home
My children don't want me no more
Bad talk inside de house dey bring
And when I talk they start to sing
Their mother tell them shut up your mout'
That is your daddy, oh, no
My daddy can't be ugly so
Shut your mout', go away
Mama, look a boo boo dey
Shut your mout', go away
Mama, look a boo boo dey
I couldn't even digest me supper
Due to the children's behavior
John (Yes, pa) come here a moment
Bring de belt, you're much too impudent
John says it's James who started first
James tells the story in reverse
I drag my belt from off me waist
You should hear them screamin' round de place
Mama, look a boo boo they shout
Their mother tell them shut up your mout'
That is your daddy, oh, no
My daddy can't be ugly so
Shut your mout', go away
Mama, look a boo boo dey (uh)
Shut your mout', go away
Mama, look at boo boo dey (uh)
So I began to question the mother
These children ain't got no behavior
So I began to question the mother
These children ain't got no behavior
They're playing with you my wife declared
You should be proud of them, my dear
These children were taught too bloomin' slack
That ain't no kind of joke to crack
Mama, look a boo boo they shout
Their mother tell them shut up your mout'
That is your daddy, oh, no
My daddy can't be ugly so
Shut your mout', go away
Mama, look a boo boo dey (uh)
Shut your mout', go away
Mama, look a boo boo dey (uh)
Shut your mout', go away
Mama, look a boo boo dey (uh)
The lyrics to Harry Belafonte's song "Mama Look a Boo-Boo" explore themes of rejection, self-doubt, and familial relationships. The singer wonders why nobody likes them, and questions whether it's because of their perceived physical ugliness. They describe leaving their home and feeling unwanted by their own children, who gossip about them behind their back. The children's disrespect causes a conflict, and the father resorts to physical punishment. The mother defends the children's behavior, blaming the father for their lack of discipline.
The song conveys a sense of frustration, confusion, and tension within the family unit. The father feels isolated and rejected, and struggles to understand why he's not accepted by his children. His attempts to discipline them are met with resistance and rebellion, while the mother enables the children's behavior by excusing it and blaming the father. The repetition of "Mama, look a boo boo" emphasizes the childishness and immaturity of the family's interactions, while the father's attempts to assert authority only serve to exacerbate the conflict.
Through its portrayal of domestic strife, "Mama Look a Boo-Boo" offers commentary on the challenges of family relationships and the difficulties of parenting. It suggests that children need structure, guidance, and discipline to develop respect and emotional maturity, and that parents must work together to achieve these goals. At the same time, it acknowledges the pain and rejection that can come from feeling unliked or unwanted by those closest to us.
Line by Line Meaning
I wonder why nobody don't like me
I am curious why people don't like me
Or is it the fact that I'm ugly?
I am questioning if my appearance is the reason
I leave my whole house and home
I abandoned my home
My children don't want me no more
My children do not want me around anymore
Bad talk inside de house dey bring
Negative conversation is happening inside the house
And when I talk they start to sing
My children mock me when I speak
Mama, look a boo boo they shout
My children mock me and call me names
Their mother tell them shut up your mout'
Their mother tells them to be quiet
That is your daddy, oh, no
The mother clarifies that I am their father
My daddy can't be ugly so
My children think I cannot be ugly
Shut your mout', go away
My children are told to be quiet and leave
I couldn't even digest me supper
My children's behavior is affecting my appetite
John (Yes, pa) come here a moment
I call my son John to come to me
Bring de belt, you're much too impudent
I ask him to bring the belt to discipline him
James tells the story in reverse
My son James tells a false version of events
I drag my belt from off me waist
I take off my belt to discipline my sons
You should hear them screamin' round de place
My children scream during the discipline
So I began to question the mother
I ask the mother about my children's behavior
These children ain't got no behavior
I declare that my children have no manners
They're playing with you my wife declared
My wife defends their behavior as play
You should be proud of them, my dear
My wife thinks I should be proud of our children
That ain't no kind of joke to crack
I disagree and think their behavior is not a joke
Shut your mout', go away
My children are again told to be quiet and leave
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: LORD MELODY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@trucklou
Mama Look at Boo Boo
I wonder why nobody don't like me
Or is it the fact that I'm ugly?
I wonder why nobody don't like me
Or is it the fact that I'm ugly?
I leave my whole house and home
My children don't want me no more
Bad talk inside de house dey bring
And when I talk they start to sing:
Mama, look a boo-boo they shout
Their mother tell them shut up your mout'
That is your daddy, oh, no
My daddy can't be ugly so
Shut your mout', Go away
Mama, look at boo-boo dey
Shut your mout', Go away
Mama, look at boo-boo dey
I couldn't even digest me supper
Due to the children's behavior
John (Yes, pa)-come here a moment
Bring de belt, you're much too impudent
John says it's James who started first
James tells the story in reverse
I drag my belt from off me waist
You should hear them screamin' round de place
Mama, look at boo-boo they shout
Their mother tell them shut up your mout'
That is your daddy, oh, no
My daddy can't be ugly so
Shut your mout', Go away
Mama, look at boo-boo dey (uh)
Shut your mout', Go away
Mama, look at boo-boo dey (uh)
So I began to question the mother
These children ain't got no behavior
So I began to question the mother
These children ain't got no behavior
They're playing with you my wife declared
You should be proud of them, my dear
These children were taught too bloomin' slack
That ain't no kind of joke to crack
Mama, look at boo-boo they shout
Their mother tell them shut up your mout'
That is your daddy, oh, no
My daddy can't be ugly so
Shut your mout', Go away
Mama, look at boo-boo dey (uh)
Shut your mout', Go away
Mama, look at boo-boo dey (uh)
Shut your mout', Go away
@mzubu
I wonder why nobody don't like me
Or is it the fact that I'm ugly?
I wonder why nobody don't like me
Or is it the fact that I'm ugly?
I leave my whole house and home
My children don't want me no more
Bad talk inside de house dey bring
And when I talk they start to sing
"Mama, look at bubu" they shout
Their mother tell them "shut up your mout' "
"That is your daddy", "oh, no"
"My daddy can't be ugly so"
"Shut your mout' " "Go away"
"Mama, look at bubu" dey (ooh)
"Shut your mout' " "Go away"
"Mama, look at bubu" dey
I couldn't even digest me supper
Due to thee children's behavior
John ("Yes, pa")-"come here a moment"
"Bring de belt, you're much too impudent"
John says it's James who started first
James tells thee story in reverse
I drag…
@lovelyladyj37
MY DAD USE TO SING THIS TO ME AS A CHILD AND I THOUGHT UP UNTIL TODAY THAT HE MADE THIS SONG UP...LOL. HE RECENTLY PASSED AWAY AND THIS SONG JUST BRINGS SO MUCH JOY TO MY HEART. I WISH I HAD IT.
@erickellogg8532
my brother had this on monster mash record
@ebliss45
This was me with my mom growing up, I swore it was made up until she got the record and played it for us
@Ektahr
Memories , at least you have something to always give you fond memories
@chinadollbkny
Me too. I thought my dad made it up
@jonahazariah
my DAD TOO
@selenamonfalin7883
I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Harry Belafonte, a legendary singer, songwriter, actor and activist. His music touched millions of hearts and inspired generations of artists. His voice was a powerful force for social justice and human dignity. He was a true icon and a global citizen. We will always remember his songs, his smile, his spirit and his legacy. We cherish his life and honor his memory. Rest In Peace 😢❤
@mumsyxc
I too am deeply saddened. Tho somehow I knew that if Sidney Poitier goes, can Belafonte be far behind?
He had a long and fruitful life. His early hits (such as this) were an important part of my childhood. Strange that I never really heard the lyrics until I was grown up.
@TyeArtisik
❤️
@bertal.rahmey457
Me also😢!