Mama's Little Boy

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