Shame and Scandal
The Blues Busters Lyrics

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Whoa, misery
Shame and scandal in the family
Whoa, misery
Shame and scandal in the family

In Jamaica, there was a family
With much confusion, as you will see
It was a mama run a papa run a boy who was grown

Who wanted to marry and have wife of his own
He found a young girl, who suited him nice
So he went to his papa to ask his advice
His papa said: "Son, I have to say no,
The girl is your sister, but your mama don't know"

Whoa, misery
Shame and scandal in the family
Whoa, misery
Shame and scandal in the family

So the week went by and the summer came down
And soon, the best cook in the island they found
He went to his papa to make a day
The papa turn to him and to him he did say
"You can't marry this girl, I have to say no,
That girl is your sister but your mama don't know"

Whoa, misery
Shame and scandal in the family
Whoa, misery
Shame and scandal in the family

So he went to his mama and he covered his head
He told his mama what his papa had said
His mama she laughed, she said "Go man, go
Your daddy ain't your daddy, but your daddy don't know"

Whoa, misery
Shame and scandal in the family
Whoa, misery
Shame and scandal in the family

Whoa, misery
Shame and scandal in the family

Whoa, misery
Shame and scandal in the family

Overall Meaning

The Blues Busters' song "Shame and Scandal in the Family" tells the story of a Jamaican family with a lot of confusion and secrets. The singer of the song is a young man who wants to marry a young girl, but after asking his father's advice, he discovers that she is actually his biological sister. Despite the father's refusal to let him marry her, the young man persists and eventually tells his mother, who reveals a shocking secret: the father is not actually his biological father.

The song cleverly uses humor to highlight the taboo of incest and the social pressure to keep family secrets hidden. The repeated refrain of "whoa, misery, shame and scandal" emphasizes the shame and embarrassment felt by the family members, but also underscores the irony of their situation. The song shows how family secrets can cause confusion, heartbreak, and social stigma, and suggests that revealing the truth can be liberating and healing.

Line by Line Meaning

Whoa, misery
Expressing the sadness and despair of the situation

Shame and scandal in the family
The family has a terrible secret that brings shame and scandal

In Jamaica, there was a family
Telling the setting of the song

With much confusion, as you will see
The family is in disarray because of a troubling issue

It was a mama run a papa run a boy who was grown
Explaining the family composition

Who wanted to marry and have wife of his own
The son wanted to get married

He found a young girl, who suited him nice
He found a girl who he liked

So he went to his papa to ask his advice
The son sought advice from his father

His papa said: "Son, I have to say no,
The father refused the son's request

The girl is your sister, but your mama don't know"
The girl he wants to marry is actually his sister, but the mother is not aware

So the week went by and the summer came down
Time passes, but the issue is not yet resolved

And soon, the best cook in the island they found
A cook is found, suggesting a celebration or event is planned

He went to his papa to make a day
He went to his father to make arrangements for the event

The papa turn to him and to him he did say
The father spoke to his son

"You can't marry this girl, I have to say no,
Again, the father refused the son's request

That girl is your sister but your mama don't know"
The daughter is also the son's sister, but the mother is still not aware

So he went to his mama and he covered his head
The son is embarrassed and ashamed, but still seeks his mother's advice

He told his mama what his papa had said
The son confided in his mother about his father's refusal

His mama she laughed, she said "Go man, go
The mother dismisses the issue with a laugh, and urges the son to pursue his desires

Your daddy ain't your daddy, but your daddy don't know"
Revealing the shocking truth that the father is not actually the son's biological father, and thus there is no real issue with marrying his sister

Whoa, misery
Expressing the continued sadness and turmoil of the situation

Shame and scandal in the family
Reiterating the family's shameful secret

Writer(s): LORD MELODY, SIR LANCELOT

Contributed by Hannah O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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