What's Your Mama's Name?

Thirty some odd years ago a young man came to Memphis

Askin' 'bout a rose that used to blossom in his world

People never took the time to mind the young man's questions

Until one day they heard him ask a little green-eyed girl

What's your mama's name, child? What's your mama's name?

Does she ever talk about a place called New Orleans?

Has she ever mentioned a man named Buford Wilson?

What's your mama's name, child? What's your mama's name?

Twenty some odd years ago a drunkard down in Memphis

Lost a month of life and labor to the county jail

Just because he asked a little green-eyed girl a question

And offered her a nickel's worth of candy if she'd tell

A year and some odd days ago an old man died in Memphis

Just another wayward soul the county had to claim

Inside the old man's ragged coat they found a faded letter

That said you've got a daughter and her eyes are Wilson green

What's your mama's name, child? What's your mama's name?

Does she ever talk about a place called New Orleans?

Has she ever mentioned a man named Buford Wilson?

What's your mama's name, child? What's your mama's name?

What's your mama's name, child? What's your mama's name?