Written by Gordon Lightfoot
Intro: D C D C D verse 1: Mama said, "See it through C D Don't let the night put the bite on you Take your time, make your plan" C D Mama said, "Son be your own best man" verse 2: Mama said, "Play it straight C D Do what you like, only do it up right Take your time, don't run wild" C D Mama said, "Son you're my one man child"verse 3: D Mama said, "Go out there C D Play at the game and you better play fair Make sure your song gets sung" C D Mama said, "Honey be your own big gun" Instrumental: D C D C DG A Mama didn't have that know-it-all way Bm A She lived by the book and she prayed everyday G A Never was a time when a rhythm or rhyme Bm G Or the words of a song ever slipped her mindverse 4: D Mom said, "See it through C D Don't let the night put the bite on you Take your time, don't run wild" C D Mama said, "Son you're my one man child Instrumental: D C D C DG A Mama didn't care when I never came home Bm A She learned how to cope with the end of a phone G A Dad went away to his place in the sky Bm G Mom said, "Son, he was a real good guy"VERSE 5: D Mama said, "See it through C D Don't let the night put the bite on you Take your time, make your plan" C D Mama said, "Son be your own best man" VERSE 6: Mama said, "Go out there C D Play at the game and you better play fair Take your time, don't run wild" C D Mama said, "Son you're my one man child Take your time, don't run wild" C D Mama said, "Son you're my one man child" OUTRO: D C D C DG A Mama didn't have that know-it-all way Bm A She lived by the book and she prayed everyday G A Never was a time when a rhythm or rhyme Bm G Or the words of a song ever slipped her mind