Mammy Nuns
Frank Zappa · Thing-Fish [1984]
We got de talkin' shoes!
We de MAMMY NUNS!
THING-FISH:
(Dominose Vobiskmmmmm!)
ENSEMBLE:
We is important news!
We de MAMMY NUNS!
THING-FISH:
(Et cum spear a TU-TU, Ohhhhh!)
ENSEMBLE:
We destroy de blues!
We de MAMMY NUNS!
THING-FISH:
Sho' am, y'all!
(MAMMIES, step faw'd 'n express yo'sevs!)
ENSEMBLE:
We sho can dance 'n sing!
We's a lot o' fun!
THING-FISH:
(D'ja get any on ya down dere?)
ENSEMBLE:
We's doin' everything!
We's a lot o' fun!
THING-FISH:
(How'd YOU like to use my nakkin'?)
ENSEMBLE:
We's doin' de buck 'n wing!
We's a lot o' fun!
We's offa de wall!
THING-FISH: (pointing to his skirt)
(Fo' those of you unfamiliar wit de' nakkin,
Dis be de nakkin'!)
ENSEMBLE:
ON BROADWAY,
IT'S A NEW DAY...
THING-FISH:
On Broadway, It's a New Day!
Dat's right! Dat's what I say!
ENSEMBLE:
WHEN WE SAY...
THING-FISH:
Oh yeah! You 'bout through wif my nakkin'?
ENSEMBLE:
"We is de ones dey be callin' de 'MAMMY NUNS'!"
THING-FISH:
We ugly as SIN!
ENSEMBLE:
We de MAMMY NUNS!
WE BE LOOKIN' GOOD
WIT DE NAKKIN' ON!
THING-FISH:
We gots a nasty grin-n-n-n-n!
ENSEMBLE:
We de MAMMY NUNS!
WE BE LOOKIN' GOOD
WIT DE NAKKIN' ON!
THING-FISH: (pointing to HARRY)
We sho' ain't ugly as him...
ENSEMBLE:
We de MAMMY NUNS!
LAWD LAWD LAWD,
LAWD LAWD LAWD,
LAWD LAWD LAWD,
WE DE MAMMY NUNS!
THING-FISH:
Step right up, folks, 'n meet de 'MAMMY NUNS'! You two ugly white
folks hafta excuse de SISTERS, as what dey put in de mash potatoes
have rendered dem INCONTINENT! Anyhow, ovuh heahhhh, de scintillating
SISTER OWL-GONKWIN-JANE COW-HOON, and de delectable SISTER
GHENGHIS-ADONIS-OSMOSIS... 'long wif SISTER POTATO-HEAD BOBBY
BROWN, and de ever-popular SISTER ANNE de DEVINE ...an' howsabouta
heart-warmin' welcome fo' SISTER JASMINE NOXEMA-TAPIOCA an' her
unscrutable companium, SISTER OB'DEWLLA 'X'...an' I's yo host: de
THING-FISH!
ENSEMBLE:
ON BROADWAY,
IT'S A NEW DAY,
WHEN WE SAY:
"We is de ones dey be callin' de
'MAMMY NUNS'!"
THING-FISH:
We is dressed to kill!
ENSEMBLE:
We be lookin' good!
THING-FISH:
We gives you quite a thrill!
ENSEMBLE:
We be dancin' good!
(Whom a ninny? Him? Him a ninny! Hah!
Whom a ninny? You'm a ninny! Haw!)
Wit de dancin' skill,
Wit de nakkin' on, LAWD!
Mammy Nuns
Frank Zappa's "Mammy Nuns" stands as a sharp, satirical song in his extensive catalog of social commentary. Recorded for the 1984 album *Thing-Fish*, the track exemplifies Zappa's signature blend of complex jazz improvisation and biting political critique. The song targets the hypocrisy of religious institutions, specifically mocking the perceived sexual exploitation of nuns by their male counterparts. With its driving rhythm and Zappa's characteristic vocal delivery, the recording serves as a biting critique of moral double standards prevalent in American society during the era. It remains a quintessential example of Zappa's ability to fuse avant-garde musical structures with direct, unapologetic social observation.