Mama never said
it would be easy
If only she would
take my hand
and show me what to do
It gives me the blues to walk
the long and narrow path I do
But you have to get the blues
to get anywhere at all
You have to get the blues
to get anywhere at all

I just want to live
my life in harmony
The way I try you'd think
I'd see it frequently
Why do I keep getting fussin'
fightin', cussin', strife and trouble
You have to get the blues
to get anywhere at all
You have to get the blues
to get anywhere at all

Mama never said
it would be easy
But she never told me
it would be so hard
Softening the edges
doesn't please me
It could never soothe
my searching heart

Dimestore puzzles
fit together nicely
But the pieces of my life
don't fit precisely
Stories mama told me
always had a happy ending
But I have to tell my own
to get anywhere at all
I have to tell my own
to get anywhere at all

Mama knew the rules
and kept on smiling
Even though her spirit
was in hiding
But when I hide
my thoughts collide
And I get caught up in the lie
You have to kiss the sky
to get anywhere at all
You have to kiss the sky
to get anywhere at all

Mama never said
it would be easy
But she never told me
it would be so hard
Softening the edges
doesn't please me
It could never soothe
my searching heart.