The Supremes - I'm Livin' In Shame lyrics

Mama's 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

Oh, 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

Ah, 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 mama died on a weekend trip to Spain

She never got out of the house, never even boarded a train

Married a guy, was living high

I didn't want him to know her

She had a grandson two years old

That I never even showed her

I'm living in shame

Mama I miss you

I know you're not to blame

Mama I miss you

Came a telegram

Mama passed away while making homemade jam

Before she died, she cried to see me by her side

She always did her best

Oh, cooked and cleaned and always in the same old dress

Working hard, down on her knees

Always trying to please

Mama, mama, mama can you hear me?

Mama, mama, mama can you hear me?

I'm living in shame, mama I miss you

I know you're not to blame, mama I miss you.

Won't you forgive me mom?

For all the wrong I've done?

I love you so much mom.

I know you've done the very best you could

But I never understood

Working hard down on her knees...

Mama you were always, always tryin' to please!