Left at the door of a stranger
I was left there in the middle of the night
left by someone who couldnt keep me
but what she did turned out just right

in a little southern town by a river
in a building called sheer croppers shack
lord i was raised from a babe to manhood
by a mama who was black

to me she was my mama
though blood didnt do this
she had love that was more than sufficient
from a mama who was black

I never knew brothers and sisters
I never had a dad to call my own
but as long lord as i can remember
black mama she made a good home

Im sure that most folks it looked different
when they saw me upon her old knee
for as I grew up and we traveled around
when they saw black mama and me

to me she's still my mama
I know blood I could never do that
but I had love that was more than sufficient
by a mama who was black

I recieved a message of sadness
I ran to her side right away
but before I could speak with her
black mama passed away

today for me neighbors is a sad one
as I stand with my tears running free
her life here on earth is over
god took black mama from mama

to me she was my mama
though blood didnt do that
she had love that was more than sufficient
from a mama who was black

but I had love that was more than sufficient
for a mama who was black