If you tell your momma
She will look away
If you tell your daddy
He won't listen when you say
How could [bad word] to this
But now, this is
The way it is

If you tell your brother
Boy will he get mad
If you tell your sister
The one you never had
How could it go this far
But now, this is
The way things are

If you tell your teacher
You'll be mad aware
If you tell your preacher
You haven't got a prayer
If you tell your momma
Laying it on the line
Tell it to your daddy
Life has been unkind