Mom was cookin' bread, she wore a dirty raggedy scarf around her head
Always had her stockings low, rolled to her feet, she just didn't know
She wore sloppy dreads, oh no matter how she tried she always looked a mess
Out of the pot she ate, never used a fork or a dinner plate
I was always so afraid for my uptown friends to see her
Afraid one day when I was grown that I would be her
In a college town, away from home a new identity I found
Said I was born an elite with maids and servants at my feet
I must have been insane, I lied and said Mama died on a weekend trip to Spain
She never got out of the house, never even boarded a train
Married a gun, was livin' high, I didn't want him to know her
She had a grandson two years old that I'd never even show her
I'm livin' in shame, Mama I miss you
I know you're not to blame, Mama I miss you
Instrumental
Came the telegram, Mama passed away while makin' homemade jam
Before she died she cried to see me by her side
She always did her best, oh cookin', cleanin', always in the same old dress
Workin' hard down on her knees, always tryin' to please
Mama, Mama, Mama can you hear me?
I'm livin' in shame, Mama I miss you
I know you've done your best, Mama I miss you
Won't you forgive me for, for all the wrong I've done
I know you've done your best, ooh
I know you've done the very best you could
But I never understood
I workin' hard down on your knees