Tommy Dodson, in the persona of his dual characters “Fats Dollar/Thad Johnson,” continues the story of, “Blues, Booze and Attitude.”
After a rollicking night at Ma Danner’s bawdy house as the ivory-tickling singer Spats, Thad is at home, preparing to do alternate duty as the church’s musical director.
The voices of his mother and grandmother are heard in the background, contesting the propriety of Thad’s directly opposing activities.
Thad responds to these seesawing opinions by singing the very poignant song, “Bless You, Momma,” in which he expresses the very same, tender feeling for both his mother and grandmother. Here are those lyrics:
'BLESS YOU, MOMMA
Momma, bless you, Momma,
For understanding me.
Grandma’s being Grandma,
The best that she can be.
I know how you struggled
When poppa went away.
Oh, Lord, how we snuggled,
Alone on Christmas Day.
Anything I can do for my mother—
That thing will be done.
And, if by chance, it helps my grandmother,
Well, “Thy will be done.”
Momma, bless you, Momma,
For being there for me.
Yes, and bless old Grandma—
Or else, we wouldn’t be.
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