Jerry Lee Lewis

Songwriter: Frank Dycus Larry Kingston

Producer: Stan Kesler

My daddy's hands held Three's and Two's while mom's were holding me
And daddy's hands lost everything to a hand of Kings and Three's
And daddy's hands they shook so bad that he turned to wine
But mama's hands were strong and calm as they held on to mine

Yes, mama's hands held on to mine to guide me day and night
And it took the schem of mama's hands to teach me wrong from right
When times were bad and money's slim she'd fold her hands in fray
And somehow she would make the food hold out another day

Now mama's hands they tremble when she prays
But her voice is strong as she thanks God for the bygone days
She looks at me and then she smiles, she knows I understand
That everything I am today I owe to mama's hands
Everything I am today I owe to mama's hands

Jerry Lee Lewis was a leading figure in the popularization of rock & roll during the 1950s. He was first signed to Sun Records in 1956 where he was labelmates with Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, and other early rock artists. Of those musicians, however, he was the only piano player and combined with his heavy-handed playing style, sexually suggestive lyrics, and provocative stage antics he came to epitomize the rebelliousness of the genre.

He rose to international fame for his 1957 versions of the songs “Great Balls of Fire” and “Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On.”

Lewis' popularity rapidly tumbled, however, when in 1958, when at the age of 22, he married his 13-year-old cousin. Though this scandal continued to tarnish his image, Lewis never retired from music. As of October 2015, he continues to perform live.

more tracks from the album

Sometimes a Memory Ain’t Enough

From the album

Sometimes a Memory Ain’t Enough (1973)

Jerry Lee Lewis popular songs

Mama’s HandsJerry Lee Lewis

Jerry Lee Lewis

Sometimes a Memory Ain’t Enough