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

And 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

And 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



Oh how she could control me

And 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 promised the sky

Momma she never told me a lie