What's Your Mama's Name?

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

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 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?...