Mama knows and papa knows
That rock 'n roll is music now
Baby's been cutting his teeth on
Bo diddley's, I'm a man, man
Listen to the wolfman howl

See the white man sailing his ship up on the sea
Watch the white man shackle
The black man to a tree
To the invader go the fruits of war
He misses home and his boots are sore
He has not got no roots no more
He comes for your gold
Watch out for your soul

Cause tennis shoes, and rhythm and blues
Are second generation
All across the nation, now
And mama knows, papa too
Rock 'n roll is music
Rock 'n roll is music, now

To the invader go the fruits of war
He misses home and his boots are sore
He has not got no roots no more
He comes for your gold
But watch out for your soul

Mama knows and papa knows
That rock 'n roll is music
Rock 'n roll is music, now