After college, Mahal moved to Los Angeles and formed the group Rising Sons with Ry Cooder in 1964. The group signed with Columbia Records and released one single and recorded another album which was not released by Columbia until 1992. Taj, frustrated with the mixed reaction to his music quit the group and went solo. Still with Columbia, he released a well received, self titled album in 1968, and based on its success released a second album, Natch'l Blues that same year. Two very different records - Giant Step, with his electric band, and solo De Ole Folks at Home - were released in 1969 together as a double album. This firmly established Taj as an American blues original. The double album The Real Thing, captured him live at this time, with a horn section.
He has received two Grammy awards in the category "Best Contemporary Blues Album", the first in 1997 for Señor Blues, and again in 2000 for Shoutin' in Key. He has performed on various film soundtracks including Sounder and Blues Brothers 2000, in which he also appeared.
Shortnin' Bread
Taj Mahal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin' bread
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin', shortnin'
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin' bread
Three little children layin' in the bed
Two were sick and the other 'most dead
Sent for the doctor, the doctor said
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin', shortnin'
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin' bread
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin', shortnin'
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin' bread
When those children layin' in the bed
Heard that talk about shortnin' bread
They popped up well and started to sing
Skipping 'round the room doing the pigeon wing
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin', shortnin'
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin' bread
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin', shortnin'
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin' bread
Put on the skillet
Put on the lid
Mamma's going to make some shortnin' bread
That's not all she's going to do
Mamma's going to cook us some cocoa too
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin', shortnin'
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin' bread
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin', shortnin'
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin' bread
I snuck to the kitchen, picked up the lid
I filled my pockets full of shortnin' bread
I winked at the pretty little girl and said
"Baby, how'd you like some shortnin' bread"
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin', shortnin'
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin' bread
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin', shortnin'
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin' bread
Got caught with the skillet
Got caught with the lid
Got caught with my mouth full of shortnin' bread
Six months for the skillet, six months for the lid
Six months in the jail eatin' shortnin' bread
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin', shortnin'
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin' bread
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin', shortnin'
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin' bread
The lyrics of Taj Mahal's "Shortnin' Bread" showcase a traditional African American folk song that has been passed down through generations, and which tells a lighthearted story of young children being fed shortnin' bread. The first verse introduces the lyrical theme and sets the tone for the rest of the song, with the repeated phrase "Mamma's little baby loves shortnin' bread" acting as a simple and catchy chorus.
The second verse of the song introduces a narrative element to the lyrics, with three children lying in bed and two of them being sick. The doctor advises their mother to feed them shortnin' bread, which seems to have a miraculous impact on their health. The third stanza transitions into a celebratory chorus of the children singing and dancing, now feeling better thanks to the healing powers of shortnin' bread.
The final verse adds a playful twist to the end of the story, with the curious narrator sneaking into the kitchen to steal some shortnin' bread and getting caught with the skillet, lid, and even their mouth full. The light-hearted and humorous tone of the song makes it easy to see why it became such a beloved folk tune, passed down through generations.
Line by Line Meaning
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin', shortnin'
The subject of the song, a baby, enjoys eating shortbread cookies.
Mamma's little baby loves shortnin' bread
The baby specifically loves the sweet, crumbly biscuit known as shortbread.
Three little children layin' in the bed
Three children were confined to bed due to illness and/or injury.
Two were sick and the other 'most dead
Two of the children were ill, while the third was severely ill and perhaps near death.
Sent for the doctor, the doctor said
The children's caregivers called for medical assistance and received advice from a doctor.
"Feed those children on shortnin' bread"
The doctor prescribed shortbread as a nutritional remedy for the children's maladies.
When those children layin' in the bed
The same three children as before are referenced.
Heard that talk about shortnin' bread
The children overheard discussion of the idea of eating shortbread to improve their health.
They popped up well and started to sing
Upon hearing that they would be given shortbread, the children suddenly became energetic and happy.
Skipping 'round the room doing the pigeon wing
The children joyfully danced and played, performing a popular dance style of the time called the pigeon wing.
Put on the skillet
A skillet, or frying pan, was heated on a stove.
Put on the lid
The lid was placed on top of the skillet to trap heat while cooking.
Mamma's going to make some shortnin' bread
The baby's mother began to prepare a batch of shortbread cookies.
That's not all she's going to do
In addition to the cookies, the mother had other plans for a treat.
Mamma's going to cook us some cocoa too
The mother was also planning to make hot cocoa for everyone to drink.
I snuck to the kitchen, picked up the lid
The artist covertly went to the kitchen and took the lid off the skillet.
I filled my pockets full of shortnin' bread
The artist stuffed their pockets with shortbread cookies, taking more than their fair share.
I winked at the pretty little girl and said
The singer flirtatiously glanced at a female companion and spoke to her.
"Baby, how'd you like some shortnin' bread"
The singer offered the girl some of their stolen shortbread.
Got caught with the skillet
The artist was discovered by an authority figure while still holding the skillet.
Got caught with the lid
The artist was also found with the skillet's lid in their possession.
Got caught with my mouth full of shortnin' bread
The artist was caught with a mouthful of shortbread, leading to their guilt being obvious.
Six months for the skillet, six months for the lid
The person who caught the singer sentenced them to 6 months in jail for each of their thefts of the skillet and lid.
Six months in the jail eatin' shortnin' bread
As punishment, the artist was forced to spend 6 months in jail, where their only sustenance was the very food they had stolen: shortbread cookies.
Contributed by Carson F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.