I was the baby brother
I was the quiet other
And I remember mother so well
I was the little stranger
I never was in danger
I could 'a had a manger
Pray tell

Oh, how she could control me
When I was bad she'd scold me
Sometimes
She wouldn't hold me
And I'd cry

But
Momma she never told me a lie
Momma she never told me a lie

I used to stay out evenings
Stay out too late some evenings
And momma would be there
Seething back home

Momma, she sat and waited
Sat in the hall and waited
Now I know why she hated
That phone
And when I'd come in
She'd grab me
Right by the arm
She'd grab me, Lord
When she was finished with me
I'd cry, oh
I'd cry

But
Momma she never told me a lie
Momma she never told me a lie

Momma she could control me
And when I was bad
She'd scold me
Sometimes she wouldn't hold me
And I'd cry

Momma she never told me a lie
Momma she never promised me the sky
Momma she never told me a lie