[vocal improvisation recommended]
[Intro – spoken with groove]
Well now
[Pause – 4 counts]
Mama stood there by the screen door smilin’ at me
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Said, “Boy, the world’s gonna spin a little faster than you think”
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“But don’t you lose yourself out there”
Ooohhhhh now
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Mm-mm-mm
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My mama said…
Heyyyyyy now, mm-mm, my mama said it plain to me
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I said, “Mm-mm, my mama said it plain to me”
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She got me thinkin’ ‘bout the road ahead
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Just look at me, babyyyyyy
When you pack your old guitar and you climb inside that car
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That’s all right, chase your life
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And you leave that little town with your boots all dusty brown
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I can see, who you’re gonna be
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Well then she said… yeahhhhh
Mm-mm, my mama said it plain to me
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I said, “Mm-mm, my mama said it plain to me”
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She got me walkin’ with my head held high
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Just look at me
When the city moves too fast
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And your money never lasts
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Don’t lose heart, make a start
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Would you believe, little boy, life ain’t easy on your own
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Keep strong, keep movin’ on
Ooooo my my my, mama’s words stay on my mind
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Ooooo now mercy, mercy all the time
When you meet those fast-talk friends, smilin’ faces in the wind
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Use your head, trust instead
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And you wear that old work coat while you’re cold out on the road
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You got pride, keep it alive, yeahhhhh
I just say, “Who knows the way? Who knows the way?”
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Say, “Who knows the way?” now mama’s talking straight to me
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Well I say, “Who knows the way? Who knows the way?”
[Outro – fade out with groove]
Mm-mm, my mama said it plain to me
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Yeahhhhh now, those words keep singin’ over me
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Even when the highway rolls so far from home
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I still hear her sayin’, “Boy, you ain’t alone”
Ooooo my my my
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Mama’s voice keeps carryin’ on
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Mm-mm-mm
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My mama said… babyyyyyy
baby, baby, babyyyyyy
