Story Behind The Song

I had a hard life, but I'm still strong. I also feel my mother could've done a better job raising us, but I know she did the best she could at that time. I wanted to share my experience with the world.

Song Description

Although I'm resilent, and am overcoming hard obstacles in life, Momma should have told me all the hard things I would be experiencing in life. Her mother (my grandmother) should have told her. And on and on through generations.

Lyrics

Lady Tasz's "Momma Shoulda Told Me"

Verse 1:
I had to have my first child before I realized, it really wasn't momma's fault, could see it in her eyes. And everything she had to say -didn't know how to. And couldn't teach us how to pray -didn't know how to. She never watched us while we played, and we was bad kids. We'd break a couple windows out and run back to the crib. We sit around, my brother'd rap, I'd do his adlibs. Who'd ever know he'd dirty his nose, I'd have two baster kids. At thirteen my brother left and never came back. When I was twelve I found my dad, moved with him to the Tac'. And it was hell, I always wondered, "Momma, where you at?" "Cause daddy taking all my money and he buying crack. And an't a damn thing funny cause I'm selling that. It's either that, or I'd go broke and make my boyfriend mad. But since I'm thirteen and he older, he an't having that. And since birth I've been a victim of a troubled man. Ugh.

Course:
Momma shoulda told me, that everything comes with a price -nothing in life's free. Pray more than only once a night, and let "The Light" speak. And only freaks go out at night -don't let the light seep. Momma holded out on me.
Grandma shoulda told Mom, about the Cleopatra's Josephine's and Chaka Khan's, and maybe Momma woulda learned to be a stronger Ma'. But no excuses, had to learn to be better than Mom. Momma shoulda told me.

2nd Verse:
Momma, why you didn't teach me how to say "no". Oh Mom, they kicked me outta school -they said I'll sell dope. When I was young and you had problems, why you get ghost? Why you didn't stand up for yourself against them bad folks? We gotta leave cause you don' been hit, yet another time? Mom, I don't get it! Why we leaving everything behind. And Momma, why you blame yourself and drink that alcohol? And then go party and come home? -I'm waiting in the hall. It's kinda funny, 'cause back then, didn't understand it all. I'd be like: "We gotta act better 'fore she leave us all!". I'm second oldest out of five, I don't know why you mad. Oh, Mom, I need to ask you, "Why we all got different dads?" I mean, you standing there, you really 'bout to take it there? We in the hall, you on the bed -but I won't take it there!
Thank God you my mom, did only what you knew. And you was strong then, just didn't know it, but I knew!

(Repeat Course)

3rd Verse:
Grandma's a single mom, and got two jobs -wit' seven kids. I mean, you's married now, but Grandma, where your husband is? And Grandma, why they say that Stone done fathered Foster's kids? And Grandma, why the neighbor's kids look like they kin? They say back-in-the-days your wippin's left eternal welps. It's different with us, so we can't relate to how they felt. G'ma, I love you, I'm just really tryna clarify. I never had a chance to get it out before you died. I never had a chance to ever say I've watched you cry. They say overly independence (don't teach) isn't compromise. You know, they say if you don't get it out -then it an't life. You know, they say that then, without a doubt, you living lies. Grandma, why'd you always covered what you felt inside? You know I'm tryna gather history through my mother's eyes. And now I understand why her fears similar to mines. Is it genetics cause it's pain it won't let me cry?

(Repeat Course)

Written and performed by Timmie "Lady Tasz" Foster for "Lady Tasz" of ASCAP.