From the recording Trio
Lyrics
Mama, I wanna be a guitar player when I grow up
I said Mama, I wanna be a guitar player when I grow up
She said, I’m sorry son, you can do one or the other
But you can’t do both
I said, Mama, I wanna make the people jump and shout
Wanna rock ‘em, wanna sock ‘em, show ‘em what it’s all about
She said, believe me honey, that’s the road to perdition
There ain’t no doubt
You can grow up a mighty good man
Or you can run around town with that thing in your hand
You wanna break your mama’s heart?
Keep playin’ that guitar out in the yard
Mama, I got the fever down deep in my soul
Mama, I got the fever down deep in my soul
She said, Lord have mercy, protect my baby
From that rock and roll
You can grow up a mighty fine man
Or you can run around town with that thing in your hand
You wanna make your mama proud?
Turn down that guitar, it's too damn loud
You can play the guitar or grow up, but you can’t do both
You can play the guitar or grow up…
I said Mama, I got the music rocking' in my head
Gonna make a million dollars and buy me one that's shiny red
She said God almighty, ain't you been listening to a word I said?
You can play the guitar or grow up, but you can’t do both
You can play the guitar or grow up…
Sorry son, you can do one or the other
But you can't do both
(Instrumental break)
(BR-2) You can grow up a mighty fine man
If you just be careful what you do with your hands
You can play that guitar all night long
But all you’ll ever make is a dollar a song
V4. ButMama, I wanna be a guitar player when I grow up (x2)
She said Sonny Boy, you can do one or the other but you can’t do both
(CH) You can play the guitar or grow up, but you can’t do both (x2)