Mama's Little Boy Lyrics

Yesterday, I watched 'em bury Mama

In a cold and lonely Oklahoma rain

And the family wouldn't even stand around me

'Cause Mama's little boy was wearing chains

They say I never came to see her

So they say that I must shoulder all the blame

But, Lord, I'd have come home if they'd let me

But Mama's little boy was wearing chains

She thought I was big in California

Fancy stories covered up my shame

Mama's little boy was Mama's pride and joy

I couldn't tell her I was wearing chains

I told the prison chaplain about Mama

And he said that she would want to share my pain

But I had him mail my letters from the outside

So Mama wouldn't know I was wearing chains

She thought I was big in California

Fancy stories covered up my shame

Mama's little boy was Mama's pride and joy

I couldn't tell her I was wearing chains

Mama taught me self-respect and honor

But, somewhere down the road, I lost my way

I'll do my time and get my act together

And honor Mama's memory every day

She thought I was big in California

Fancy stories covered up my shame

Mama's little boy was Mama's pride and joy

I couldn't tell her I was wearing chains

Many times, I wished that I had told her

But trouble isn't easy to explain

She was better off never knowing

That Mama's little boy was wearing chains

She was better off never knowing

That Mama's little boy

Mama's pride and joy

Mama's little boy was wearing chains