Who day and night must scramble for a living, Feed a wife and children, Say his daily prayers, And who has the right as master of the house To have the final word at home? The papa, the papa. Tradition! The papa, the papa. Tradition!
Who must know the way to make a proper home, A happy home, a quiet home, Who must raise a family and run the home So Papa's free to read the holy books? The mama, the mama. Tradition! The mama, the mama. Tradition!
At three I have to go to school, at ten I learned a trade. I hear they've picked a bride for me, I hope she's pretty. The sons, the sons. Tradition! The sons, the sons. Tradition!
And who does Mama teach to mend and tend and fix, Preparing me to marry whoever Papa picks? The daughters, the daughters. Tradition! The daughters, the daughters. Tradition!