Mama Said, ©1969 by Gordon Lightfoot
 
Mama said, "See it through, don't let the night put the bite on you. 
Take your time, make your plan." Mama said, "Son, be your own best man" 
Mama said, "Play it straight; do what you like only do it up right. 
Take your time, don't run wild." Mama said, "Son you're my one man child" 

Mama didn't have that know-it-all way 
She lived by the book and she prayed every day 
Never was a time when a rhythm or rhyme 
Or the words of a song ever slipped her mind 

Mama said, "Go out there, play at the game and you better play fair 
Make sure your song gets sung" Mama said, "Honey be your own big gun" 

Mama didn't care when I never came home 
She learned how to cope with the end of a phone 
Dad went away to his place in the sky 
Mama said, "Son he was a real good guy" 

Mama said, "See it through, don't let the night put the bite on you 
Take your time, make your plan" Mama said, "Son be your own best man" 

Mama didn't have that know-it-all way 
She lived by the book and she prayed everyday 
Never was a time when a rhythm or rhyme 
Or the words of a song ever slipped her mind 

Mama said, "See it through, don't let the night put the bite on you 
Take your time, make your plan" Mama said, "Son be your own best man" 
Mama said, "Go out there, play at the game and you better play fair 
Take your time, don't run wild" Mama said, "Son you're my one man child 
Take your time, don't run wild" Mama said, "Son you're my one man child"