If you tell your momma She will look away If you tell your daddy He won't listen when you say How could it come to this But now, this is The way it is If you tell your brother Boy will he get mad If you tell your sister The one you never had How could it go this far But now, this is The way things are If you tell your teacher You'll be mad aware If you tell your preacher You haven't got a prayer If you tell your momma Laying it on the line Tell it to your daddy Life has been unkind