MAMA SAID
(Gordon Lightfoot)

As recorded Gordon Lightfoot 1999


Mama said, "See it through, don't let the night put the bite on you
Take your time, make your plan"
Mama said, "Son be your own best man".

Mama said, "Play it straight, do what you like only do it up right
Take your time, don't run wild"
Mama said, "Son you're my one man child".

Mama didn't have that know-it-all way
She lived by the book and she prayed every day
Never was a time when a rhythm or rhyme
Or the words of a song ever slipped her mind.

Mama said, "Go out there, play at the game and you better play fair
Make sure your song gets sung"
Mama said, "Honey be your own big gun".

(bridge)

Mama didn't care when I never came home
She learned how to cope with the end of the phone
Dad went away to his place in the sky
Mom said, "Son he was a real good guy".

Mama said, "See it through, don't let the night put the bite on you
Take your time, don't run wild"
Mama said, "Son you're my one man child".

(bridge)

Mama didn't have that know-it-all way
She lived by the book and she prayed everyday
Never was a time when a rhythm or rhyme
Or the words of a song ever slipped her mind.

Mama said, "See it through, don't let the night put the bite on you
Take your time, make your plan"
Mama said, "Son be your own best man".

Mama said, "Go out there, play at the game and you better play fair
Take your time, don't run wild"
Mama said, "Son you're my one man child.

Take your time, don't run wild"
Mama said, "Son you're my one man child".



(Transcribed by David Story - March 2013)