My mama told me lots of things
About the life we lead
Told me it was too easy
To live a life of greed

She said you'll be a good man
And I'll be proud of you
'Cause you can't do no better
If that's all you learn to do

All we got is one short life
Far as we can find
And if you don't know how to live
The world will be unkind

No, no curse upon my name
No way I look at a bad guy
And think that I'm the same
No, I won't be blamed
I live without dishonor
I won't have to die ashamed

Old lady told me plenty
She told me what to do
How to act in society
How to make it through

She said always mind your manners
And don't you talk no trash
And if you hear somebody dissing you
Go over and kick his ass

One thing is for certain
By all we know and love
If you compromise your integrity
You should drown in your own blood

No, no curse upon my name
No way I look at a bad guy
And think that I'm the same
No, I won't be blamed
You live without dishonor
You don't have to die ashamed

So, even though I'm old and weird
I remember what she said
I always knew that she was right
So, I kept it in my head

I never tried to hurt the world
I never was drove by greed
Believe I mostly did my best
What more do you want from me?

All there is, is one short life
Far as we can find
And if you don't know how to live
You're gonna lose your mind

No, no dirt upon my name
No way I look at a bad guy
And thing I share blame
No, I'm not the same
As I live and die, I'm certain
I refuse to die ashamed