In Grandma's Kitchen

Ain't no running in and out Not while mama is cooking Ain't no running in and out Not while grandma is cooking Ain't no running in and out Not while auntie is cooking You keep running in and out Boy you sure to catch a whipping Now she rolled up her sleeves Now she washing the collards Dark green leaves Southern peaches for the cobblers A bag of cornmeal She be seasoning her flour Cornbread in the oven By the end of the hour Ain't no running in and out Not while mama is cooking Ain't no running in and out Not while grandma is cooking Ain't no running in and out Not while auntie is cooking You keep running in and out Boy you sure to catch a whipping There is grown folk conversation Going on in the kitchen The first time you heard Grandma losing her religion A whole lot of swearing And a whole lot of living And a whole lot of laughing in the black tradition Ain't no running in and out Not while mama is cooking Ain't no running in and out Not while grandma is cooking Ain't no running in and out Not while auntie is cooking You keep running in and out Boy you sure to catch a whipping When the matriarch sits Then you're free to have a seat What she puts on your plate Is exactly what you eat But you better leave your fork and knife In its place Until grandma is good and done Saying grace Ain't no running in and out Not while mama is cooking Ain't no running in and out Not while grandma is cooking Ain't no running in and out Not while auntie is cooking You keep running in and out Boy you sure to catch a whipping