Mama, my first memory of you, is telling me to say what’s on my mind.
I had to hold my head up high, you gave me the confidence to reach the sky.
I couldn’t be nobody’s fool, I hated when you forced me to Sunday school.
Please and thank you were a must, I had to respect my elders.

When I was young, innocent and naive I didn’t understand.
Why your love was so tough, but I held on to your hand.
And now that I’m older, I realize what it takes to raise a child.
This world is so cold, and all you did was worth while.

So, I’m saying Mama, I’m all I am because of you.
You only get one mama and God blessed me with you.
God blessed me with you. Oh, yes it's true.
And Mama I love you.
God blessed me with you. God blessed me with you. Oh, yes it's true.
And Mama I love you.

Mama, I couldn’t go outside to play, until I said my times tables the right way.
You bought some extra books, to make up for a history that’s overlooked.
I had to memorize some quotes, from Marcus Garvey and other folks.
Went to programs after class, I had to excel in science and math.

When I was young, innocent and naive I didn’t understand.
Why your love was so tough, but I held on to your hand.
And now that I’m older, I realize what it takes to raise a child.
This world is so cold, and all you did was worth while.

So, I’m saying Mama, I’m all I am because of you.
You only get one mama and God blessed me with you.
God blessed me with you. Oh, yes it's true.
And Mama I love you.
God blessed me with you. God blessed me with you. Oh, yes it's true.
And Mama I love you.

Mama, you taught about African queens, building up my self esteem.
You said I mattered on this earth, there’s people out there who’d treat me like dirt.
I had to love the skin I’m in, there’s beauty in having more melanin.
My hair is tightly curled, I can’t compare myself to a whitewashed world.

I couldn’t go outside to play, until I said my times tables the right way.
You bought some extra books, to make up for a history that’s overlooked.
I had to memorize some quotes, from Marcus Garvey and other folks.
Went to programs after class, I had to excel in science and math.

When I was young, innocent and naive I didn’t understand.
Why your love was so tough, but I held on to your hand.
And now that I’m older, I realize what it takes to raise a child.
This world is so cold, and all you did was worth while.