What's Your Mama's Name? lyrics

What's your mama's name, child?

What's your mama's name?

Thirty some odd years ago

A young man came to Memphis,

Askin' 'bout a rose that used to blossom in his world.

People never took the time

To mind the young man's questions

Until one day they heard him ask

A little green eyed girl

What's your mama's name, child?

What's your mama's name?

Does she ever talk about

A place called New Orleans?

Has she ever mentioned

A man named Buford Wilson?

What's your mama's name, child?

What's your mama's name?

Twenty some odd years ago

A drunkard down in Memphis,

Lost a month of life and labor

To the county jail.

Just because he asked a little green eyed girl a question

And offered her a nickel's worth of candy if she'd tell.

A year and some odd days ago

An old man died in Memphis,

Just another wayward soul

The county had to claim.

Inside the old man's ragged coat,

They found a faded letter.

It said you have a daughter

And her eyes are Wilson green.

What's your mama's name, child?

What's your mama's name?

Does she ever talk about

A place called New Orleans?

Has she ever mentioned

A man named Buford Wilson?

What's your mama's name, child?

What's your mama's name?

What's your mama's name, child?

What's your mama's name?