If Mama Coulda Seen Me

If my mama coulda seen me in this prison, she’d cry but she can’t
She’d wanna know if I was learnin' my lesson, I’d lie but I ain’t
She could never tell the difference 'cause I listen with my mouth
So send me up the river and I’m never gettin' out
If my mama coulda seen me in this prison, she’d cry but she can’t
If my mama coulda seen me in these chains, she’d be fit to be tired
She would spare that pain 'cause I was barely thirteen when she died
Well, I reckon she’s in Heaven and I know that I’m in Hell
Nobody is a-prayin' in a solitary cell
If my mama coulda seen me in this prison, she’d cry but she can’t
Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief
Ain’t nobody ever causing mama any grief
First time, never mind, third shock out
You’re a-climbin' on the boogie beyond a shadow of a doubt
If my mama coulda seen me in this prison, it’d brake her poor heart
Took her dreams and damned if I didn’t tear everyone apart
Now I get down on my knees nearly every single day
Thank the Lord she never have to see me this way
If my mama coulda seen me in this prison, she’d cry but she can’t
If my mama coulda seen me in this prison, she’d cry but she can’t