[verse 1]
mama used to take me across her lap
she used to whip me with a strap
when i was bad
i didn’t know at the time
being bad could lead to crime
but now i’m glad
cause she kept me on the double
and i stayed out of trouble
now i understand
when she said, “boy, you got to give a heck
promise you’ll always give respect
to the other man”

[verse 2]
when i used to make fun to others
she said, “no, not to your brother”
and that ain’t all
“when someone is feeeling low
think of the nicest things you know
to make them feel tall”
i will never forget what mama said
when she kneeled down and prayed
“father, guide his hands
put your arms around his neck
make him proud to give respect
to the other man”

[verse 3]
oh, but now that i’m a man
god has taken my mother’s hand
but i’ll carry on
though sometimes i’ll have to weep
mother’s love i’ll always keep
cause she made me strong
and if i should ever have a son
we're gonna have a lot of fun
and i’ll teach him to understand
when i say “boy, you got to give a heck
promise you’ll always give respect
to the other man”

[outro]
and i remember
(boy, you got to give a heck)
what mama said
(promise you’ll always give respect
to the other man)
she said, boy, you got to give respect
she said, boy
(boy, you got to give a heck)
you got to give a heck
(promise you’ll always give respect
to the other man)
you got to give respect
(boy, you got to give a heck)
you got to give a heck
(promise you’ll always give respect
to the other man)
you got to give respect now
oh, yeah