When You're Good To Mama
Mary McCarty Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

MASTER OF CEREMONIES:
And now, ladies and gentlemen – the Keeper of the Keys, the Countess of the Clink, the Mistress of Murderer’s row – Matron Mama Morton!

Ask any of the chickies in my pen,
They’ll tell you I’m the biggest mother
hen.
I love them all and all of them love me,
Because the system works
The system called reciprocity ...

Got a little motto
Always sees me through
When you’re good to Mama
Mama’s good to you

There’s a lot of favors
I’m prepared to do.
You do one for Mama
She’ll do one for you.

They say that life is tit-for-tat
And that’s the way I live.
So, I deserve a lot of tat
For what I’ve got to give.

Don’t you know that this hand
Washes that one too?
When you’re good to Mama,
Mama’s good to you!

If you want my gravy,
Pepper my ragout.
Spice it up for Mama,
She’ll get hot for you.

When they pass that basket,
Folks contribute to
You put in for Mama,
She’ll put out for you.

The folks atop the ladder
Are the ones the world adores.
So boost me up my ladder, kid,
And I’ll boost you up yours.

Let’s all stroke together
Like the Princeton crew.
When you’re strokin’ Mama
Mama’s strokin’ you.

So what’s the one conclusion
I can bring this number to?





When you’re good to Mama
Mama’s good to you!

Overall Meaning

The song "When You're Good to Mama" from the musical "Chicago" is sung by Matron Mama Morton, who is introduced as the Keeper of the Keys, the Countess of the Clink, and the Mistress of Murderer's row. In the song, Mama establishes herself as a fair and just figure of authority in the prison, where she takes care of her "chickies" as a mother hen. Mama also explains her philosophy of reciprocity, where she believes that if one does a favor for her, she will return the favor as well. The song is essentially about the power dynamic in the prison, where Mama holds the power but uses it for the good of her inmates.


The opening lines of the song are sung by the Master of Ceremonies to introduce Matron Mama Morton, setting the scene for her entrance onto the stage. Mama's character is established as both powerful and approachable, a figure to be respected but also loved by her inmates. The song then goes on to explain Mama's philosophy of reciprocity, where favors are exchanged back and forth between her and her inmates, creating a system that works for everyone.


Mama's approach to life is all about balance and fairness, which is why she encourages the inmates to put in for her when the basket is passed around, promising that she will put out for them as well. The final lines of the song suggest that reciprocity is the key to success in life, and that if one treats others well, they will be treated well in return. Overall, "When You're Good to Mama" is a sassy and empowering song that celebrates the power of women, the importance of reciprocity, and the strength of community.


Line by Line Meaning

Ask any of the chickies in my pen,
As a prison matron, I have the utmost control over the prisoners in my care.


They’ll tell you I’m the biggest mother hen.
The prisoners know that I am motherly and protective towards them.


I love them all and all of them love me,
I have a positive relationship with all my prisoners.


Because the system works
The prison system is designed so that inmates who behave well are rewarded.


The system called reciprocity ...
I enforce the principle of reciprocation among my prisoners.


Got a little motto
I follow a guiding principle in my life.


Always sees me through
This principle has always helped me in life.


When you’re good to Mama
If you treat me well,


Mama’s good to you
I will reciprocate your good behavior.


There’s a lot of favors
I am willing to do many favors for my prisoners.


I’m prepared to do.
I am ready to do those favors.


You do one for Mama
If you do a favor for me,


She’ll do one for you.
I will do a favor for you in return.


They say that life is tit-for-tat
The principle of reciprocity is commonly accepted in life.


And that’s the way I live.
I base my actions on this principle.


So, I deserve a lot of tat
Because I do a lot of good things for people,


For what I’ve got to give.
I think I deserve to be rewarded.


Don’t you know that this hand
If I help you out,


Washes that one too?
You can expect me to expect help from you in the future.


When you’re good to Mama,
If you treat me well,


Mama’s good to you!
I will repay that treatment.


If you want my gravy,
If you want my help,


Pepper my ragout.
You should make an effort to make it worth my while.


Spice it up for Mama,
If you make it worth my while,


She’ll get hot for you.
I will be willing to go above and beyond for you.


When they pass that basket,
When there is an opportunity for mutual benefit,


Folks contribute to.
People will be willing to contribute.


You put in for Mama,
If you contribute on my behalf,


She’ll put out for you.
I will be willing to repay that contribution.


The folks atop the ladder
Those who are successful and powerful,


Are the ones the world adores.
Are admired and respected by society.


So boost me up my ladder, kid,
So if you help me move up in the world,


And I’ll boost you up yours.
I will help you move up in return.


Let’s all stroke together
Let's work together,


Like the Princeton crew.
Like the famous rowing team.


When you’re strokin’ Mama
When you are working alongside me,


Mama’s strokin’ you.
I will help you succeed.


So what’s the one conclusion
So what is the takeaway,


I can bring this number to?
I can offer from this song?


When you’re good to Mama
If you treat me well,


Mama’s good to you!
I will repay that treatment.




Writer(s): John Kander, Fred Ebb

Contributed by Katherine N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

cadicorniche

OMG! I loved this. I can’t believe you worked with Flame Monroe. I love her! (I’ve recently become a fan of Laugh and Learn.)

Last Girl

“Ask all the chickies in my bed
They’ll tell I give real good-
(looks directly at you)
ADVICE you perv!”

ah Chicago!

this was an amazing parody 🤩

Monica Abner

Love 💘 it

Montana Russaw

YASS FLAME