No affection were the words stuck on my mind When she walked out on me for the very last time Oh Mama, sweet Mama Can you tell me what to say? I don't know what I done to be treated this way In a cold dirty room, That's where I find myself With a bottle of wine and some pills from the shelf Oh Mama, sweet Mama Can you tell me what to say? I don't know what I done, but I sure feel ashamed Then an angel appeared She was just seventeen In a dirty old gown With a conscience so clean Oh Mama, sweet Mama Can you tell me what to say? She done brought back the life that I once threw away She brought back the life that I once threw away