Standard (EADGBE)
Intro
Verse 1
Mama was cookin' bread,
She wore a dirty raggedy scarf a-round her head.
Always had her stockings low, rolled to her feet; just didn't know.
Verse 2
She wore a sloppy dress,
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.
Bridge 1
I was always so afraid my uptown friends would see her.
Afraid one day when I was grown, that I would be her.
Interlude
Verse 3
In a college town,
A-way from home, an identi-ty I found.
That I was born elite, with maids and servants at my feet..
Verse 4
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.
Bridge 2
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.
Chorus 1
I'm living in shame; Mama, I miss you.
I know you're not to blame; Mama, I miss you.
Interlude
Break
Verse 5
Came the telegram;
Mama passed away while making home made jam.
Be-fore she died she cried to see me by her side.
Verse 6
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.
Bridge 3
Mama, Mama, Mama can you hear me?
Mama, Mama, Mama can you hear me?
Chorus 3
I'm living in shame; Mama, I miss you.
I know you're not to blame; Mama, I miss you.
Coda
Won't you for-give me Mama, for all the wrong I've done?
I know you've done your best, oh, I know you've done,
The very best you could; Mama I thought you understood...
(Fade)
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