Mom was cooking 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 a sloppy dress
Ah, 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
That my uptown friends would see her
Afraid one day when I was grown
That I would be her

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

In a college town
Away from home a new identity I found
Said I was born 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 guy
Was living high
I didn't want him to know her
She had a grandson two years old

That I never even showed her

I'm livin' in shame
Mama I miss you
I know you're not to blame
Mama I miss you

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Came a telegram
Mama passed away
While making homemade jam
Before she died
She cried to see me by her side
She always did her best
Ah, cooked and cleaned
And always in the same old dress
Working hard down on her knees
Always trying to please

Mama, mama
Mama can you hear me?
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 mom
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
Working hard down on your knees
Mama you were always
Always trying to please
You were so good to me
Mama, mama I miss you