Left at the door of a stranger

I was left there in the middle of the night

left by someone who couldnt keep me

but what she did turned out just right



in a little southern town by a river

in a building called sheer croppers shack

lord i was raised from a babe to manhood

by a mama who was black



to me she was my mama

though blood didnt do this

she had love that was more than sufficient 

from a mama who was black



I never knew brothers and sisters

I never had a dad to call my own

but as long lord as i can remember

black mama she made a good home



Im sure that most folks it looked different

when they saw me upon her old knee

for as I grew up and we traveled around

when they saw black mama and me



to me she's still my mama

I know blood I could never do that

but I had love that was more than sufficient 

by a mama who was black



I recieved a message of sadness

I ran to her side right away

but before I could speak with her 

black mama passed away



today for me neighbors is a sad one

as I stand with my tears running free

her life here on earth is over

god took black mama from mama



to me she was my mama

though blood didnt do that

she had love that was more than sufficient 

from a mama who was black



but I had love that was more than sufficient 

for a mama who was black