If Mama Coulda Seen Me

[Verse 1] If my mama coulda seen me in this prison She'd a'cry but she can't She'd wanna know if I was learning my lesson But I like that I ain't She could never tell me different 'cause I listen with my mouth So send me up river, I'm never getting out If my mama coulda seen me in this prison She'd a-cry but she can't [Verse 2] And if my mama coulda seen me in these chains She'd be fit to be tied She was spared that pain 'cause I was barely 13 when she died Well, I reckon she's in Heaven and I know that I'm in hell Nobody is your friend in a solitary cell If my mama coulda seen me in this prison She'd a-cry but she can't [Bridge] Rich man, poor man, beggar man please Ain't nobody never cause mama any grief First time living my first crack at you Come on, mama, pull me out the shadow over mind [Verse 3] If my mama coulda seen me in this prison It'd break her poor heart Took her dreams and be damned if I didn't tear everyone apart Now I get on my knees nearly every single day Thank the Lord she never had to see me this way If my mama coulda seen me in this prison She'd a-cry but she can't If my mama coulda seen me in this prison She'd a-cry but she can't