Ivory Soap Law

[Verse 1] My brothers and me Playin’ football in the street, Mailboxes were the sidelines Hot pavement under our feet. Mike drops back, launches A pass way too high, I’m wide open in the road Rich laughed as it sailed too high. [Pre‑Chorus] Ball hits the neighbor’s grass, And I’m losing my nerve-- Heat of the moment Out slips a four‑letter word. [Chorus] And Mom swung open the door, Yellin’, “Sal! Mike! and Rich!” Asked, “Who said that?” But nobody’d snitch. “Get your butts in the house,” Man, our hearts just dropped-- ‘Cause when Mom lays down the law You know the fun has stopped. Yeah, we lost all hope We knew we're gettin' the soap [Verse 2] We stood in the kitchen Like a line‑up of the accused, Mike starin’ at the floor, Rich lookin’ all confused. Mom said, “One of you boys Got a mouth that’s gone astray-- And if nobody owns it, You’re all gonna pay.” [Pre‑Chorus] My courage disappeared, Like the ball on that bad throw, Mom grabbed the bathroom door And we all whispered, “Oh no…” [Chorus] ‘Cause Mom pushed open the drawer, Yellin’, “Sal! Mike! and Rich!” Asked, “Who said that?” But nobody’d snitch. And when she had come back She said, "Open wide!" A bar of soap each, Man--thought we'd all die Yeah, we lost all hope-- When we got the soap [Bridge] Now years have come and gone, But every time we meet, We still laugh about that day Playin’ football in the street. Mike can’t throw, Rich can’t catch, And I still swear it wasn’t me-- But when Mom steps in a room, We watch our language carefully. [Final Chorus] Oh, Mom swung open the door, Yellin’, “Sal! Mike! and Rich!” Asked, “Who said that?” But nobody’d snitch. “Get your butts in the house,” Man, our pride felt raw-- With the Ivory Soap Law. Yeah, Mom kept us in line With her Ivory Soap Law.