Well, all of the pain you've felt
I hope you never have to feel it again
And the night that you picked me up
from jail and I swore I'd never do it again
I'm sorry, mama, no woman should have to carry anyone
Let alone her own son, yeah
And all the times that the money ran out
and we needed to be fed
And all the nights that the winters got cold
and you worked until your fingers bled
I'm sorry, mama, no woman should have to do
the things you've done
She did 'em better than any man, yeah

'Cause mama, I miss you and I wish that I could change
Yeah, I'd do anything I can for the lady who gave me my name
And just know that it's not your fault
Without you, I'd be nothin' at all

And all the times that you'd take me
to papa's and grandma's and I'd stay all day
And all the time that I spent on the farm
where all the other grandkids play
I know you miss 'em 'cause I miss 'em too every day
I'm sorry, mama
And all the times that I got kicked out
and I didn't have a place to stay
And all the nights that you'd lie in your bed
wide awake and you would pray
I know I'm crazy and I'm so caught up in my ways
I'm sorry, mama

'Cause mama, I love you and I think that I can change
Yeah, I'd do anything I can for the lady who gave me my name
And just know that it's not your fault
Without you, I'd be nothin' at all
'Cause mama, I miss you and I know that I can change
Yeah, I'd do anything I can for the lady who gave me my name
And just know that it's not your fault
Without you, I'd be nothin' at all
Oh, I'd be nothin' at all