Mama I know how much you love me
But Mama won't you try to understand
I turned 33 just last December
Your little boy has grown into a man

I hear people laughing all around me
And men are throwin' dice upon the ground
The sound of women weepin' makes my heart break
And preachers shoutin' make thyself come down

Look away Mama close your eyes
Lift your weary face up to the sky
Look away Mama don't you cry
You know every mother's son was born to die

I heard them saying the sky was gettin' cloudy
I hear the wind begin to blow
When you feel the earth beneath you start to tremble
Then Mama look away for I must go

Mama I know you want to help me
But you know I must do this thing alone
Just go and tell the others not to worry
Sunday morning I will roll away the stone