Verse 1: We ran wild from sunrise ‘til the streetlights glowed, Playing tag and kickball down every road. Thought we had secrets, but Mama knew it all, She caught every whisper, every close call. One time, I snuck her Winstons, thinking I was sly, Me and my friend smoked ‘em, watched the world fly. Sicker than a dog, couldn’t keep it down, She just shook her head and gave us that unforgettable frown. Chorus: Mama said, "Keep crying, I’ll give you something to cry about, I brought you in, I can take you out! Just wait ‘til you’ve got kids of your own, Then you’ll see how much I’ve known. "If you don’t have something nice to say, Then don’t say nothing at all today. You’re cruisin’ for a bruisin’, you’ll see, And money don’t grow on no damn tree!" Verse 2: Thought I was smart, had the perfect plan, Sent Mom and Dad to Vegas, bags in hand. A weekend alone, the house all mine, Called up my friends—this party would shine. Music was loud, we were feeling free, Laughing, dancing, just meant to be. But that neighbor? Oh, she had a say, Mom came back—caught us the very next day! Chorus: Mama said, "Keep crying, I’ll give you something to cry about, I brought you in, I can take you out! Just wait ‘til you’ve got kids of your own, Then you’ll see how much I’ve known. "If you don’t have something nice to say, Then don’t say nothing at all today. You’re cruisin’ for a bruisin’, you’ll see, And money don’t grow on no damn tree!" Verse 3: Every time I got caught, I swore she had spies, Always one step ahead, with that knowing eye. Now I hear her words when I talk to my son, Laughing ‘cause I’ve become the mom I’d outrun. I wouldn’t trade her for anyone, not for a day, Her wisdom still guides me in its own way. If only I could hear her voice once more, Sharing the truths that I’d long ignored. Chorus (Final Repeat): Mama said, "Keep crying, I’ll give you something to cry about, I brought you in, I can take you out! Just wait ‘til you’ve got kids of your own, Then you’ll see how much I’ve known. "If you don’t have something nice to say, Then don’t say nothing at all today. You’re cruisin’ for a bruisin’, you’ll see, And money don’t grow on no damn tree!" © 2025 Susan Nagle. All rights reserved