Songwriter: R. Dean Taylor Pam Sawyer
Producer: The Clan
[Verse 1]
Mama was cookin' bread
She wore a dirty raggedy scarf around her head
Always had her stockings low
Rolled to her feet just didn't know
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
[Verse 2]
I was always so afraid that
That uptown friends would see her
Afraid one day when I was grown
That I would be her
[Verse 3]
In college town away from home
A new identity I found
That 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
[Verse 4]
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]
I'm living in shame
Mama, I miss you
I know you're not to blame
Mama, I miss you
[Verse 5]
Got 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
[Bridge]
Mama, mama, mama can you hear me
Mama, mama, mama can you hear me
[Chorus]
I'm living in shame
Mama, I miss you
I know you've done your best
Mama, I miss you
[Verse 6]
Won't you forgive 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
Working hard, down on your knees
Mama you're always, always trying to please
Mama was cookin' bread
She wore a dirty raggedy scarf around her head
Always had her stockings low
Rolled to her feet just didn't know
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
[Verse 2]
I was always so afraid that
That uptown friends would see her
Afraid one day when I was grown
That I would be her
[Verse 3]
In college town away from home
A new identity I found
That 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
[Verse 4]
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]
I'm living in shame
Mama, I miss you
I know you're not to blame
Mama, I miss you
[Verse 5]
Got 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
[Bridge]
Mama, mama, mama can you hear me
Mama, mama, mama can you hear me
[Chorus]
I'm living in shame
Mama, I miss you
I know you've done your best
Mama, I miss you
[Verse 6]
Won't you forgive 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
Working hard, down on your knees
Mama you're always, always trying to please
more tracks from the album
The Complete Motown Singles | Vol. 9: 1969
- I Want You Back
- Don’t Mess With Bill
- Ooo Baby Baby
- Pretty Little Angel
- In My Diary
- (She’s Gonna Love Me) At Sundown
- The Day My World Stood Still
- Darling Dear
- I Don’t Know Why [Promo Version]
- I’m In Love (And I Know It)
- Abraham, Martin, And John (Alternate Mix)
- My Springtime
- Suzie
- My Girl Has Gone
- What Am I Gonna Do Without You
- Yester-You, Yester-Me, Yesterday
- I’m Livin’ In Shame
- My Cherie Amour
- Never Had A Dream Come True
- I Don’t Know Why
- The Composer
- He’s My Sunny Boy
- I’ll Try Something New
- Doggone Right
- Abraham, Martin and John
- Here I Go Again
- Point It Out (single version) (Mono)
- Point It Out
- I’d Be a Fool Right Now
- Who’s Lovin’ You
- The Way You Do the Things You Do
- Just Another Lonely Night
From the album
Diana Ross popular songs
- I’m Coming Out
- Upside Down
- Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
- Ease on Down the Road #1
- It’s Your Move
- If We Hold On Together
- The Boss
- Missing You
- Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To)
- When You Tell Me That You Love Me
- Chain Reaction
- He Lives in You
- Love Hangover
- Touch Me in the Morning
- Do You Know Where Youre Going To
- It’s My House
- I’m Still Waiting
- A Brand New Day
- Always and Forever
- If You’re Not Gonna Love Me Right (Crenshaw Records version)
- Once in the Morning
- That’s How You Start Over
- Love Me (Japanese quadraphonic edition)
- Ain’t Nothin’ But a Maybe