When your mother starts to scold you She says it's cos I love you Momma please don't cry But it don't make matters better When you resemble you father and you learn That the alimonies run dry Momma please don't cry You know you'd never ask me why I'll wipe the tears that flow from your eyes And hold you like you're used to hold me So she smiles but is she happy She smiles but she ain't happy Sadness still glistens in her eyes When she thinks of that man who She gave most of her life to In her heart she feels like she would die So you try to console her, she sees her baby's growing older One day you'll rise up and take your leave Then she'll stand by the window, looking pale as a shadow Words of love faintly echo in her ear