Amos Carter - Would A Should A Boogie - with Mama Carter

After finding out about Amos Carter's Mother, it's no wonder he's got a Boogie Woogie band! She plays piano and adds vocals to this latest song of her sons. Amos told us she used to be a substitute piano player at the small church they went to when they were kids. He said she could be serious for an hour or so once in a while, but she would break out into Boogie Woogie piano on occasion, sometimes in church as well! Parishioners liked it, but the old conservative preacher didn't! She still plays the piano, an old upright they've had at the family house as long as Amos can remember. She plays all kinds of music, but loves to improvise all kinds as well. 

The lyrics of the song ring true enough; Mama Carter used to sit down and play the piano as she lectured the kids (all 9 of them!), and if there was too much griping, she would  play hymns they knew that they could sing along with, or 'old people' music as the kids used to call big band music. Since Amos started his band, he's been trying to get his Mama to come up on stage and play a song or two with them, but she always refused. Then Amos wrote this one, and she thought it was so good that she finally agreed, after they rehearsed it a lot. She plays very well, and her voice isn't bad either!

They recorded the song at Delmar Gentry's studio in Flagstaff, and Delmar was taken aback by Mama Carter! He had no idea she was such a fine piano player and singer, and is trying to  talk her into doing some solo recordings.

 Mama and Dad had a slug of kids
Dad worked the oil fields, gone a lot
Up to Mama to civilize
Her own style she always brought

Each of us had our chores to do
But kids are known to forget
So she would handle it her way
She never gave an idle threat

She'd sit at the old piano
Limber up her fingers to swing
And twiddle the keys,
easy as ya please
And this is what she would sing:

Would a Should a but you ain't!
Didn't do what yer supposed to!
Ya know what's comin'
Don't tell me dumbin'
Punish you when I'm all through

The Would a should a boogie
(The Would a should a boogie)
Is gonna surround and get you!
You cain't escape it,
Don't lie and fake it
Or you'll get what's comin' to you!

Now you'd know you was in the soup
She seldom got very cross
While she never raised her hand
Had ways to get her point across

Have to listen to her lecture
Not say wait 'til your Dad gets home
She'd nag 'til your ears would turn red
She had ways that were all her own

When she sat at the piano
A smile crossed Mama's face
Pound the ivories,
She'd make up stories
And try to put us in our place:

Would A Should a, you didn't!
Excuses I've heard before
So don't be dissin'
Hush up and listen
While I tell ya what's in store

The Would a should a boogie
Won't treat you like yer vermin
But first it's my whim
To sing some church hymns
Before I go on with my sermon!

AN HOUR OR TWO OF CHURCH HYMS! A
TORTURE! PLEASE, MAMA! BEAT MY ASS INSTEAD!

[Male and female duet]
The Would a should a boogie
(The Would a should a boogie)
Is gonna surround and get you!
You cain't run and escape it,
Don't try and lie to fake it
Or you'll get what's comin' to you