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 labored to the county jail 
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 
That said you got 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?...