What's your mama's name child what's your mama's name

Thirty some odd years ago a young man came to Memphis

Asking bout a rose that used to blossom in his world

People never took the time to mind the young man's questions

Till 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 country 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

That said you have a daughter and her eyes are Wilson green

What's your mama's name child...

What's your mama's name child what's your mama's name