There was six of us small kids when papa left home
His last words to mama was woman you're on your own
And mama wiped the tears away and gathered us around to say
Now don't you fret we'll make it on our own

Well the only work mama ever found was the factoryin' kind
But her love for us was such she said she didn't mind
And later on I have doubt a mowin' lawns and a paper rout
And mama's love was wrapped there all the time

Now mama never gave us many material things in life
But what she gave us there was plenty of
In fact there was enough of it to last us all our lives
And that's the memory of mama's love

Now mama never did complain but there came the day
When I got me a man size job a making real good pay
And I told mama now you stay home I'll make a livin' from now on
But fate stepped in and mama passed away

Now mama never gave us many material things in life...
Yes that's the memory of mama's love