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Usenet discussion of the words of the performance of
Tell me, momma
at the Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England, 17 May 1966

(Other performances of this song are touched too.)
97-05-06 16:06 Lonesome Sparrow
97-05-08 12:28 nate
97-05-08 17:33   Patricia Jungwirth
97-05-08 23:20     nate
97-05-09 16:45       SensOfWndr
97-05-10 06:36         Tricia J
97-05-09 16:42     John Howells
97-05-12 02:58   Max Ferguson
97-05-12 22:56     michael pearson
97-05-11 17:12 Lonesome Sparrow
97-05-12 21:59   nate
97-05-13 02:46     Patricia Jungwirth
97-05-14 23:07       Roger Ford
97-05-12 19:14 Lonesome Sparrow
97-05-12 19:22   John Howells
97-05-14 23:54 Mike Brann
97-05-15 13:47   Gerry O'Neill
97-05-16 01:28     Tricia J
97-05-15 20:15 Ben Taylor
97-05-29 05:45 Tom Christopher

From: lvdm@xs4all.nl (Lonesome Sparrow) Newsgroups: rec.music.dylan Subject: Re: Words of Tell Me, Momma Date: Tue, 06 May 1997 16:06:33 GMT warren@VILLAGENET.COM wrote: > -Every listing of lyrics I have seen for this song from '66 has different > lyrics than are on the live recordings. Does anyone have the lyrics that he > sang live on tour? I've found the following transcript of Manchester 660517 at http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palms/3948/dylanlyrics.htm. I've put the words I absolute do not hear in the recording between brackets. Improvements anybody? --- Coal black glass don't make no mirr'r Coal black water don't make no tears You say you love me what with may be love Don't you remember makin' baby love? Yes, you got your steam drill. Now you're lookin' for some kid To get it to work for you like your nine-pound hammer did But I know that you know that I know that you show Something is tearing up your mind Tell me, momma Tell me, momma Tell me, momma, what is it? What's wrong with you this time? [How many miles] can your pony run Tombstone brave-dog can't get it done Fools gold in your teeth and cemetery hips [Rolling] outside of your graveyard lips Yes, everybody's wondering when your friendship's gonna end But come on, baby, I'm your friend! And I know that you know that I know that you show Something is tearing up your mind Tell me, momma Tell me, momma Tell me, momma, what is it? What's wrong with you this time? Oh, you sure please him, but your face is red And he can't get it. He's almost dead Everybody's sees you on your window ledge How long's it gonna take for you to get off of the edge? You're just gonna make everybody jump and roar Now whatcha wanna go and do that for? I know that you know that I know that you show Something is tearing up your mind Tell me, momma Tell me, momma Tell me, momma, what is it? What's wrong with you this time?
From: nates@ll.mit.edu (nate) Newsgroups: rec.music.dylan Subject: EDLIS - Tell Me, Momma... Date: 8 May 1997 12:28:19 GMT ============================================================================ __________________ _/ || ~-_ ,/ // /~- / ~-_ ________---------------// -----------------------------------\-------------------____________ __// O-------------- ~~^ | | ~| }======{--------\____________________|______________________________ | | \===== / /~~~\ \ \ | ________________________|-~ \----| \___/ ||--------------------'----------| \____/ // `______'' `_______' Good car to drive, after a war ============================================================================ last night i got out my vinyl copy of the performance in question. this is what i was able to decode, although i dont like "brave-dog can't". interesting to compare to Jakob's "One Headlight": We'll run until she's out of breath She ran until there's nothin' left She hit the end - it's just her window ledge - nate Tell Me Momma /Bob Dylan Source: 17 May 1966 Manchester, England, variously attributed to Royasl Albert Hall of same tour, variously released, especially on the Guitars Kissing & The Contemparay Fix CD, but in particular, from the Zerocks 2-LP vinyl, _Zimmerman:_Looking_Back_ Coal black glass don't make no mirr'r Coal black water don't make no tears You say you love me what with may be love Don't you remember makin' baby love? Yes, you got your steam drill. Now you're lookin' for some kid To get it to work for you like your nine-pound hammer did But I know that you know that I know that you show Something is tearing up your mind Tell me, momma Tell me, momma Tell me, momma, what is it? What's wrong with you this time? >It's on glass, painted - only to run Tombstone [brave-dog can't] get it done >Fools' gold in your teeth and cemetery hicks >Waiting outside of your graveyard lips Yes, everybody's wondering when your friendship's gonna end But come on, baby, I'm your friend! And I know that you know that I know that you show Something is tearing up your mind Tell me, momma Tell me, momma Tell me, momma, what is it? What's wrong with you this time? Oh, you sure please him, but your face is red And he can't get it. He's almost dead Everybody's sees you on your window ledge >How long's it gonna take for you to get off the edge? You're just gonna make everybody jump and roar Now whatcha wanna go and do that for? I know that you know that I know that you show Something is tearing up your mind Tell me, momma Tell me, momma Tell me, momma, what is it? What's wrong with you this time? Tell Me Momma /Bob Dylan Source: 19-20 Apr 1966 Melbourne, Australia tape Note: Bob is just bellowing out the words at full force. <...begins in middle...> Tell me, momma, what is it? What's wrong with you this ti-i-i-i-i-ime? Oh, your jaw's all painted but your face is red Gotch your joke sunglasses on your head Everybody sees you on that window ledge C'mon, baby, please get off the edge. Your just gonna make everybody jump and roar <...tape skips "Now, whatcha wanna go and do that for?" and a line variant of the i know you know i know stuff> But you're so hard to fi-i-i-i-i-i-ind! Tell me, momma Tell me, momma Tell me, momma, what is it? What's wrong with you this ti-i-i-i-i-ime?
Newsgroups: rec.music.dylan Date: Fri, 9 May 1997 02:33:56 +1000 From: Patricia Jungwirth Subject: Re: EDLIS - Tell Me, Momma... >Date: 8 May 1997 12:28:19 GMT >nates@ll.mit.edu (nate) >last night i got out my vinyl copy of the performance in question. >this is what i was able to decode, although i dont like "brave-dog can't". >Tell Me Momma >/Bob Dylan >Source: 17 May 1966 Manchester, England, variously attributed to >Royasl Albert Hall of same tour, variously released, especially >on the Guitars Kissing & The Contemparay Fix CD, but in particular, >from the Zerocks 2-LP vinyl, _Zimmerman:_Looking_Back_ > > Coal black glass don't make no mirr'r >Coal black water don't make no tears I hear "cold black... " >You say you love me what with may be love >Don't you remember makin' baby love? >Yes, you got your steam drill. Now you're lookin' for some kid >To get it to work for you like your nine-pound hammer did >But I know that you know that I know that you show >Something is tearing up your mind > >Tell me, momma >Tell me, momma >Tell me, momma, what is it? >What's wrong with you this time? > >>It's on glass, painted - only to run I don't think so... >Tombstone [brave-dog can't] get it done >>Fools' gold in your teeth and cemetery hicks hips! >>Waiting outside of your graveyard lips >Yes, everybody's wondering when your friendship's gonna end >But come on, baby, I'm your friend! >And I know that you know that I know that you show >Something is tearing up your mind > >Tell me, momma >Tell me, momma >Tell me, momma, what is it? >What's wrong with you this time? > >Oh, you sure please him, but your face is red >And he can't get it. He's almost dead Andy? (this is clearer on the Liverpool version I think) >Everybody's sees you on your window ledge >>How long's it gonna take for you to get off the edge? >You're just gonna make everybody jump and roar >Now whatcha wanna go and do that for? >I know that you know that I know that you show >Something is tearing up your mind > >Tell me, momma >Tell me, momma >Tell me, momma, what is it? >What's wrong with you this time? > >Tell Me Momma >/Bob Dylan >Source: 19-20 Apr 1966 Melbourne, Australia tape >Note: Bob is just bellowing out the words at full force. yeah, he sure is... ><...begins in middle...> >Tell me, momma, what is it? >What's wrong with you this ti-i-i-i-i-ime? > >Oh, your jaw's all painted but your face is red Jo-Jo? who's Jo-Jo? >Gotch your joke sunglasses on your head >Everybody sees you on that window ledge >C'mon, baby, please get off the edge. >Your just gonna make everybody jump and roar > <...tape skips "Now, whatcha wanna go and do that for?" > and a line variant of the i know you know i know stuff> >But you're so hard to fi-i-i-i-i-i-ind! uhh, try another four-letter word, rhymes with buck or ruck or rock what's that, you don't believe me? okay, have it your own way... >Tell me, momma >Tell me, momma >Tell me, momma, what is it? >What's wrong with you this ti-i-i-i-i-ime? > The version from Liverpool is very interesting - got some notes on all this somewhere, I'll see if I can dig them out. Tricia J
From: nates@ll.mit.edu (nate) Newsgroups: rec.music.dylan Subject: Re: EDLIS - Tell Me, Momma... Date: 8 May 1997 22:20:28 GMT In article <199705081633.CAA15253@aardvark.apana.org.au>, tricia.j@AARDVARK.APANA.ORG.AU says... >>Date: 8 May 1997 12:28:19 GMT >>nates@ll.mit.edu (nate) >> Coal black glass don't make no mirr'r >>Coal black water don't make no tears >I hear "cold black... " i do hear that as well, then the other....doesnt make a big difference to me...switches back'n'forth. i have tried to shave in front of a window that was dark behind it - it dont work so well. water/tears is ok, just not a clever thing to me... >>>It's on glass, painted - only to run >I don't think so... what do you think it is? i listened to this about 60 times last night. it sounded more like "IXONGLE 's painted - only to run". i can the see the paint running down.... there's no pony in there. >>Tombstone [brave-dog can't] get it done >>>Fools' gold in your teeth and cemetery hicks >hips! hey - thats what the sheet of paper i had in my hands said. it just doesnt make sense, hips. you can imagine a buncha hicks waiting around outside....it sounded most like HITS. but i definitely hear hicks. >>>Waiting outside of your graveyard lips >>Oh, you sure please him, but your face is red >>And he can't get it. He's almost dead >Andy? (this is clearer on the Liverpool version I think) >>Oh, your jaw's all painted but your face is red >Jo-Jo? who's Jo-Jo? jojo white, the guard for the boston celtics? george-o like in Get Back? > >>But you're so hard to fi-i-i-i-i-i-ind! > >uhh, try another four-letter word, rhymes with buck or ruck or rock >what's that, you don't believe me? okay, have it your own way... i dont believe you. but i believe in you.... > >The version from Liverpool is very interesting - got some notes on all this >somewhere, I'll see if I can dig them out. > >Tricia J
From: John Howells Newsgroups: rec.music.dylan Subject: Re: EDLIS - Tell Me, Momma... Date: Fri, 09 May 1997 08:42:42 -0700 Patricia Jungwirth wrote: > > >Date: 8 May 1997 12:28:19 GMT > >nates@ll.mit.edu (nate) > > >>It's on glass, painted - only to run > > I don't think so... > I hear "{something something} babe, no need to run" > >Tombstone [brave-dog can't] get it done I hear "tombstone graveyard can't get it done" > > > >Oh, you sure please him, but your face is red I hear "you choke easy, but your face is red" -- John Howells howells@bigfoot.com http://www.punkhart.com
From: sensofwndr@aol.com (SensOfWndr) Newsgroups: rec.music.dylan Subject: Re: EDLIS - Tell Me, Momma... Date: 9 May 1997 15:45:45 GMT >>>Tombstone [brave-dog can't] get it done >>>>Fools' gold in your teeth and cemetery hicks >>hips! > hey - thats what the sheet of paper i had in my hands said. it just > doesnt make sense, hips. you can imagine a buncha hicks waiting > around outside....it sounded most like HITS. but i definitely hear > hicks. DOESNT MAKE SENSE????? Since when do Bob's 66 lyrics make sense??? OF COURSE it's hips, and it makes perfect sense, as in, her hips are so fine they knock him dead. Every bit as much sense as "mercury mouth" or a dozen others I could mention.
From: Tricia J Newsgroups: rec.music.dylan Subject: Re: EDLIS - Tell Me, Momma... Date: 9 May 1997 22:36:55 -0700 In article <19970509154400.LAA24204@ladder01.news.aol.com>, sensofwndr@aol.com says... > >>>>Tombstone [brave-dog can't] get it done >>>>>Fools' gold in your teeth and cemetery hicks > >>>hips! > >> hey - thats what the sheet of paper i had in my hands said. it just >> doesnt make sense, hips. you can imagine a buncha hicks waiting >> around outside....it sounded most like HITS. but i definitely hear >> hicks. > >DOESNT MAKE SENSE????? Since when do Bob's 66 lyrics make sense??? OF >COURSE it's hips, and it makes perfect sense, as in, her hips are so fine >they knock him dead. Every bit as much sense as "mercury mouth" or a >dozen others I could mention. look at the next line - it's quite 'logical' really... 'cemetery hips' - 'graveyard lips' "so fine"??? don't know about that!!! 'twas ever thus, sex and death, always a mixed metaphor Tricia J "Why don't you come over here... set your lipstick on fire... "
From: lvdm@xs4all.nl (Lonesome Sparrow) Newsgroups: rec.music.dylan Subject: Re: Words of Tell Me, Momma Date: Sun, 11 May 1997 16:12:00 GMT The following suggestions have been made for the first line of the second verse of the Manchester 660517 performance of Tell Me, Momma: >How many miles can your pony run >It's on glass, painted - only to run >[...] babe, no need to run Listening with these suggestions in mind, I now hear: Legs on glass can be only to run
Newsgroups: rec.music.dylan Date: Sun, 11 May 1997 18:58:16 -0700 Sender: The Bob Dylan Discussion List From: Max Ferguson Subject: Re: EDLIS - Tell Me, Momma... Nates wrote: >In article <199705081633.CAA15253@aardvark.apana.org.au>, >tricia.j@AARDVARK.APANA.ORG.AU says... > >>>Date: 8 May 1997 12:28:19 GMT >>>nates@ll.mit.edu (nate) > >>> Coal black glass don't make no mirr'r >>>Coal black water don't make no tears > >>I hear "cold black... " > > i do hear that as well, then the other....doesnt make a big > difference to me...switches back'n'forth. cole block gloss? cobalt glox? > i have tried to shave in front of a window that was dark behind > it - it dont work so well. water/tears is ok, just not a clever > thing to me... Somebody alert Griel Marcus... >>>>It's on glass, painted - only to run > >>I don't think so... > > what do you think it is? i listened to this about 60 times last night. > it sounded more like "IXONGLE 's painted - only to run". i can the > see the paint running down.... > > there's no pony in there. There's always a pony in there, if you know where to look. "Look! A Pony!" >>>Tombstone [brave-dog can't] get it done >>>>Fools' gold in your teeth and cemetery hicks > >>hips! > > hey - thats what the sheet of paper i had in my hands said. it just > doesnt make sense, hips. you can imagine a buncha hicks waiting > around outside....it sounded most like HITS. but i definitely hear > hicks. I, here, definitive hips. "Sense?" Since when? >>>>Waiting outside of your graveyard lips > >>>Oh, you sure please him, but your face is red >>>And he can't get it. He's almost dead > >>Andy? (this is clearer on the Liverpool version I think) > >>>Oh, your jaw's all painted but your face is red > >>Jo-Jo? who's Jo-Jo? > > jojo white, the guard for the boston celtics? > > george-o like in Get Back? fancy-joe sunglasses on your face? >>>But you're so hard to fi-i-i-i-i-i-ind! >> >>uhh, try another four-letter word, rhymes with buck or ruck or rock >>what's that, you don't believe me? okay, have it your own way... > > i dont believe you. but i believe in you.... Hey, Tricia was there! I believe in her. "Ione, you're a maid I love dearly..."
From: lvdm@xs4all.nl (Lonesome Sparrow) Newsgroups: rec.music.dylan Subject: Re: Words of Tell Me, Momma Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 18:14:02 GMT At http://www.iaehv.nl/users/vdmark/bdva6369.htm I've found a transcript of Manchester 960517 Tell Me, Momma with yet another suggestion for the first line of the second verse: And somebody's candy don't even run The other suggestions are: >How many miles can your pony run >It's on glass, painted - only to run >[...] babe, no need to run >Legs on glass can be only to run It also has another suggestion for the first line of the third verse: Well, somebody painted your places red For this line the other suggestions are: >Oh, you sure please him, but your face is red >Oh, you choke easy, but your face is red
From: John Howells Newsgroups: rec.music.dylan Subject: Re: Words of Tell Me, Momma Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 11:22:50 -0700 Lonesome Sparrow wrote: > > At http://www.iaehv.nl/users/vdmark/bdva6369.htm I've found a > transcript of Manchester 960517 Tell Me, Momma with yet another > suggestion for the first line of the second verse: > > And somebody's candy don't even run > > The other suggestions are: > > >How many miles can your pony run > >It's on glass, painted - only to run > >[...] babe, no need to run > >Legs on glass can be only to run > Now that I think about it, I always hear it as: Someplace camping, don't need to run (I know it makes no sense) -- John Howells howells@bigfoot.com http://www.punkhart.com
From: nates@ll.mit.edu (nate) Newsgroups: rec.music.dylan Subject: Re: Words of Tell Me, Momma Date: 12 May 1997 20:59:26 GMT In article <3374de54.24437670@news.xs4all.nl>, lvdm@xs4all.nl says... > >>[...] babe, no need to run > >Listening with these suggestions in mind, I now hear: > >Legs on glass can be only to run hey - this is close to my phonetic IXXONGLess Legs on glass, baby, no need to run sort of taking from John Howells' suggestion & yours... guess i gotta fess up to being confused on "hips".... so we now have: Legs on glass, baby, no need to run Tombstone graveyard cant get it done Fools' gold in your teeth and cemetary hips Waiting outside of your graveyard lips..... we definitely are not talking about the mortuary business. - nate, who will listen yet again (:-))
From: michael pearson Newsgroups: rec.music.dylan Subject: Re: EDLIS - Tell Me, Momma... Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 14:56:30 -0700 > >>> Coal black glass don't make no mirr'r > >>>Coal black water don't make no tears > >>I hear "cold black... " I hear "Coal black glass don't make no mirr'r "Cold black water don't make no cheers"
Newsgroups: rec.music.dylan Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 11:46:09 +1000 From: Patricia Jungwirth Subject: Re: Words of Tell Me, Momma >Date: 12 May 1997 20:59:26 GMT >From: nates@ll.mit.edu (nate) >References: <336f11fc.3909891@news.xs4all.nl> <3374de54.24437670@news.xs4all.nl> >so we now have: > > Legs on glass, baby, no need to run I'm hearing: Black sunglass can't make pony run > Tombstone graveyard cant get it done > Fools' gold in your teeth and cemetary hips > Waiting outside of your graveyard lips..... from Liverpool: (polio n'? pullin' your own? poor leon in?) .... glasses can't make ya get it done painted face only can make pony run village talk time you've got cemetery hips rolling upside of your graveyard lips >we definitely are not talking about the mortuary business. "...touched the back of her head and then he died!" Tricia J
From: roger_ford@southglos.gov.uk (Roger Ford) Newsgroups: rec.music.dylan Subject: Re: Words of Tell Me, Momma Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 22:07:40 GMT Patricia Jungwirth wrote: >from Liverpool: > (polio n'? pullin' your own? poor leon in?) > .... glasses can't make ya get it done > painted face only can make pony run I prefer painted face on can't make pony run > village talk time you've got cemetery hips > rolling upside of your graveyard lips The second verse of the performance used as a Dwarf demo, I reckon, starts Get your mechanic and get it done Bets on horses can't make your pony run and that gets my vote for the Most Coherent Couplet prize. I suspect a hefty toke during the interval may have had some influence on the variability of this number. Roger Ford
Newsgroups: rec.music.dylan Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 18:54:05 -0400 From: Mike Brann Subject: "Tell Me Momma" Words After listening to Tell Me Momma a couple dozen times, this is what I thought Dylan was saying in the first line of the second verse: "It's all in glass Cammy (or maybe it's "can be"), don't even run" (He slurs "all" and "in") But I have no idea what that means or who Cammy is And the first line of the third verse: "Oh, choppin easy but your face is red" Again, I'm clueless to the meaning. -M. Brann "Down here where we're at All we do is sit out on the porch And play our songs, and nothing's wrong. Sometimes friends come around, they all sing along." --Uncle Tupelo, "Screen Door"
Newsgroups: rec.music.dylan Date: Thu, 15 May 1997 08:47:26 -0400 From: "Gerry O'Neill" Subject: Re: "Tell Me Momma" Words I believe this thread just goes to show that Dylan's "Tell Me, Mama" is his own response to "Louie, Louie." Both songs' words are at times unclear, but the performance translates the meaning perfectly. Gerry
From: Ben Taylor Newsgroups: rec.music.dylan Subject: Tell Me, Momma: Edinburgh '66 [Was: Re: PA tapes are for wimps] Date: Thu, 15 May 1997 20:15:11 +0100 This is my attempt at transcribing the Edinburgh '66 version of "Tell Me, Momma". This recording was released on the bootleg "Pill Box". Other versions (some audience recordings, some Eat the Document film footage) of the song which no one yet appears to have transcribed are: 5 February 1966, White Plains, New York 26 February 1966, Hempstead, New York 1 May 1966, Kebenhavn, Denmark 10 May 1966, Bristol, England 15 May 1966, Leicester, England 19 May 1966, Glasgow, Scotland Go on! Have a go! :-) And now, to Edinburgh... Tell Me, Momma [Edinburgh, 20 May 1966] / Bob Dylan (Bob Dylan) Source: ABC Theatre, Edinburgh, Scotland Bootleg: "Pill Box" Compare chorus to the line from "Baby, Please Stop Crying", "I know that you know/ The sun will always shine/ But, baby, please stop crying 'cause/ It's tearing up my mind." [Coal/Cold?] black glass don't make no [mirror/dears?] [1] Coal black water don't make no tears You say you love me what with may be love Don't you remember makin' baby love? Yes, you got your steam drill, now you're lookin' for some kid To get it to work for you like your nine-pound hammer did But I know that you know that I know that you [know?] Something is tearing up your mind Tell me, momma Tell me, momma Tell me, momma, what is it? What's wrong with you this time? [Coal black[,?] baby?] can make your pony run [Do you get to do the great deal?], get it done [2] All the time [but/with?] your cemetery hips [2] Locked outside of your graveyard lips Everybody's wondering when your friendship's gonna end But come on, baby, I'm your friend! And I know that you know that I know that [you show/you've showed?] Something is tearing up your mind Tell me, momma Tell me, momma Tell me, momma, what is it? What's wrong with you this time? [Won't you baby, but you're face is read?] [2] [Andy can't get anybody?], he's almost dead [2] Everybody sees you on your window ledge How long's it gonna take for you to get off the edge? You're gonna make everybody jump and roar What you wanna go and do that for? I know that you know that I know that [you show/you've showed?] Something is tearing up your mind Tell me, momma Tell me, momma Tell me, momma, what is it? What's wrong with you this time? -- [1] This word definitely begins with a "d"! [2] These lines are rather different to the other versions posted here on rec.music.dylan Ben Taylor -- bptaylor@laguna.demon.co.uk
From: Tricia J Newsgroups: rec.music.dylan Subject: Re: "Tell Me Momma" Words Date: 15 May 1997 17:28:30 -0700 In article , "Gerry says... > >I believe this thread just goes to show that Dylan's "Tell Me, Mama" is >his own response to "Louie, Louie." Both songs' words are at times >unclear, but the performance translates the meaning perfectly. > Gerry touche! good comparison.... tricia
From: Tom Christopher Newsgroups: rec.music.dylan Subject: Re: "Tell Me Momma" Words complete lyrics Date: Wed, 28 May 1997 20:45:32 -0800 ol black bascom dont break no mirrors cold black water dog make no tears you say you love me with what may be love dont you remember makin baby love got your steam drill built and youre lookin for some kid to get it to work for you like your nine pound hammer did but i know that you know that i know that some thing is tearing up your mind tell me mama tellme mama tellme mama what is it, whats wrong with you this time hey john come and get me some candy goods shucks it syure feels like its in the woods spend some time on your january trips you got tombstone moose up and your braveyard whips if youre anxious to find out when your friendships gonna end come on baby im your friend and i know you knowthat i know that you show something tearing up your mind tell me mama tell me mama tell me mama what is it whats wrong with you this time o we bone the editor can't get read but his painted sled instead its a bed yes i see you on your windows ledge but i cant tell how far away you are from the ledge but anyway youre just gonna make people jump and roar whatcha wanna go and do that for for i know that you know that i know that you know somethings tearing up your mind tell me mama tell me mama tell me mama whats wrong with you this time