[Verse 1]
Mama worked the late shift
Counted bills at the table
Taught me how to stand up
When the world said I was able
Hair still wet from the sink
Shoes by the front door
She said, "Hold your head high"
And I learned to ask for more
[Pre-Chorus]
No, I never had you
At the schoolhouse door
I grew my own backbone
Right here on this floor
[Chorus]
I don't need you now
I don't need you now
Mama made me strong
Mama made me loud
I don't need your name
I don't need your sound
You came back too late
I don't need you now
[Verse 2]
You sent a small apology
Like it could fix the weather
But the years don't fold back
Just because you wrote a letter
I was raised on courage
On warm hands and truth
On a woman in the hallway
Saying, "Baby, choose you"
[Pre-Chorus]
So I kept on walking
Through the hurt and the shame
Built a whole new family
And I wore my own name
[Chorus]
I don't need you now
I don't need you now
Mama made me strong
Mama made me loud
I don't need your name
I don't need your sound
You came back too late
I don't need you now
[Bridge]
Maybe you were somewhere
Learning how to stay
But I was there with her
Every single day
And if you call me daughter
That's a word you've found
Still, I grew my roots deep
I don't need you now
[Final Chorus]
I don't need you now
I don't need you now
Mama made me strong
Mama made me loud
I don't need your name
I don't need your sound
You came back too late
I don't need you now
I don't need you now
I don't need you now
Mama made me strong
And I won't come down