Shame and Scandal
(Donaldson, Brown)

In Trinidad, there was a family,
with much confusion as you will see.
There was a mama and a papa, and a boy who had grown,
who wanted to marry and have wife of his own.

He found him a girl who was suiting him nice.
He went to his papa to ask his advice.
The papa said, "Son, I've got to say no.
That girl is your sister, but your mama don't know."

Woe is me! Shame and scandal in me family. [ Chorus ]
Woe is me! Shame and scandal in me family.

The weeks went by and the summer came down,
and soon, the best cook in the island he found.
He went to his papa to name a date.
His papa shook his head and to him he did say,

"You can't marry this girl; I've got to say no.
That girl is your sister, but your mama don't know."

Woe is me! Shame and scandal in me family. [ Chorus ]
Woe is me! Shame and scandal in me family.

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

Woe is me! Shame and scandal in me family. [ Chorus ]
Woe is me! Shame and scandal in me family.

Note: the calypso version of Johnny Be Fair
RG