I'm Livin' In Shame

Mom was cooking bread
She wore a dirty raggedy scarf around her head
Always had her stockings low
Rolled to her feet, she just didn't know
She wore a sloppy dress
And no matter how she tried, she always looked a mess
Out of the pot she ate, never used a fork or a dinner plate

I was always so afraid that my uptown friends would see her
Afraid one day when I was grown that I would be her

In a college town, away from home, a new identity I found
Said I was born elite, with maids and servants at my feet
I must have been insane
I lied and said my mom died on a weekend trip to Spain
She never got out of the house, never even boarded a train

Married a guy, was livin' high
I didn't want him to know her
She had a grandson, two years old
That I've never even showed her

I'm livin' in shame, momma, I miss you
I know you're not to blame, momma, I miss you

Came the telegram
Mom passed away while making homemade jam
Before she died, she cried to see me by her side
She always did her best, ah! cookin', cleanin'
Always in the same old dress
Workin' hard down on her knees
Always tryin' to please

Momma! Momma! Momma, can you hear me?
Momma! Momma! Momma, can you hear me?

I'm livin' in shame, momma, I miss you
I know you've done your best, momma, I miss you

Would you forgive me momma
For all the wrongs I've done?
I know you've done your best
I know you've done your very best-