Songwriter: Paula Cole

Producer: Paula Cole

[Intro]
(Didn't your Mama tell you how to behave, girl?
Didn't your Daddy tell you not to wear that little thing?)

[Verse 1]
Been told you never get something for nothing
My stepfather Dickie say I just might get hit
If I don't give

[Pre-Chorus]
The girls all whisper 'hind my back
They try to break me with cruel attacks
The boys they want only one thing
And so I give it, don't complain

[Chorus]
Daddy's gone
Mama lost her job
Our house ain't a home no more
Still my faith's unshaken in God

[Verse 2]
I feel so lonely for hope and company
I don't take much and I give everything for free
(So don't you want me?)

[Pre-Chorus]
The girls all whisper 'hind by back
My baby brother's smoking crack
The boys they want only one thing
My body is my currency

[Chorus]
Daddy's gone
Mama lost her job
Our house ain't a home no more
Still my faith's unshaken in God

[Bridge]
I dream I get a record deal
I'll buy a way out of here
Or maybe a new Lexus jeep
Or just a friend
(Am I dreamin'? Am I dreamin'?)

[Verse 3]
There's Mr. Roberts, Juan and Paul
All waiting for me down the hall
But then tomorrow they don't call
Still a moment's better than none at all

[Chorus]
Daddy's gone (My name is La Tonya)
Mama lost her job (I'll be sixteen in August)
Our house ain't a home no more (I am a sophomore)
Since Mama broke her soul (I like to sing in chorus)
Daddy's gone (My name is La Tonya)
Mama lost her job (I'll be sixteen in August)
Our house ain't a home no more (I am a sophomore)
Still my faith's unshaken

[Outro]
Lord won't you please save me?
Is this the new slavery?
Here on the ghetto pavement?
But I believe in you baby
Yes my, yes my faith's unshaken in God (Ooh Lord)