If my momma coulda seen me in this prison
She would cry, but she can't
She would wanna know if I was learning my lesson
I would lie, but I ain't

She could never tell me different
Because I listened with my mouth
So they sent me up the river
And I'm never getting out
If my momma coulda seen me in this prison
She would cry, but she can't

If my momma coulda seen me in these chains
She would be fit to be tied
She was buried that May 'cause I was
Barely thirteen when she died

Well, I reckon she's in Heaven
And I know that I'm in Hell
Nobody hears you praying
In a solitary cell
If my momma coulda saw me in these chains
She'd be fit to be tied

Ah, well, rich man, poor man
Beggar man, thief
Ain't nobody never causin' Momma any grief
First time, never mind
Third strike calendar
We found that I'm a fool beyond a shadow of a doubt

If Momma coulda seen me in this prison
It'd break her poor heart
Took her dreams and damned if I didn't tear all apart
Now I get down on my knees nearly every single day
And I thank the Lord the she never had to see me this way
If my momma coulda seen me in this prison
It'd break her poor heart

Said, if my momma coulda seen me in this prison
It'd break her poor heart