Expert: Bong Santos - 1/13/2008

Question
There was a 80's song that had the line take your time young man, don't work to get old.

Answer
Dear Lori,

Undoubtedly you are referring to JUNIOR's MAMA USED TO SAY. JUNIOR who was born JUNIOR BISCOMBE in London out of Jamaican parents is a British singer/songwriter who was one of the first British RNB acts to hit it big in the US during the 80's. MAMA USED TO SAY was from his 1982 album JI. It went to #30 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart on April 24, 1982. Here's its lyrics:

MAMA USED TO SAY / JUNIOR

Said a small boy once
asked:"When will I grow up?"
When will I see what grownups do see?"
And he's bout to come his age
he will act another age
to be reconized is
quite another mess

And mama used to say:
"Take your time young man"
And mama used to say:
"Don't you rush to get old"
And mama used to say:
"Take it in your stride"
And mama used to say:
"Live your life"

As the years where rushing by
he will cut down on his age,
he will tell his girl of how it used to be.
How his mommy past away
but this lines she would say
at the time
he couldnt understand

And mama used to say:
"Take your time young man"
And mama used to say:
"Don't you rush to get old"
And mama used to say:
"Take it in your stride"
And mama used to say:
"Live your life"

You"re young son Joe dont hold all back,
do what you want to do.
Now is the time for you to strive,
For you to get better in what you are doing!

As a small boy once asked,
"When will I grow up?"
When will I see what grownups do see?"
At a time to come to come of age
he will act another age,
To be reconized is quite another mess!

Hey mama used to say:
"Take your time young man"
And mama used to say:
"Don't you rush to get on"
And mama used to say:
"Take it in your stride
Mama used to say, Hey Hey
Hey Hey Hey-ey

And mama used to say:
"Take your time young man"
And mama used to say:
"Don't you rush to get on"
And mama used to say:
"Take it in your stride"
And mama used to say,
Mama used to say, Oh Oh
Oh Oh Oh
Oh Oh
Oh Oh Oh-wo-oh


Maraming salamat po!!

BONG M. SANTOS
Manila, Philippines