[Chorus]
~#**************#~
(Hey, Mama, ah, ow)
~#**************#~
I wanna scream so loud for you, cause Im so proud of you, and uh
~#**************#~
Let me tell you what Im about to do
~#**************#~
(Hey, Mama)
~#**************#~
I know I act a fool, but I promise you, Im goin back to school, and
~#**************#~
I appreciate what you allowed for me, and I
~#**************#~
I just want you to be proud of me
~#**************#~
(Hey, Mama)
~#**************#~
[Verse 1]
~#**************#~
I wanna tell the whole world about a friend of mine
~#**************#~
This little light of mine, Im finna let it shine
~#**************#~
Im finna take yall back to them better times
~#**************#~
Im finna talk about my mama if yall dont mind
~#**************#~
I was three years old when you and I moved to the Chi
~#**************#~
Late December, harsh winter gave me a cold
~#**************#~
You fixed me up something that was good for my soul
~#**************#~
Famous homemade chicken soup, can I have another bowl?
~#**************#~
You work late nights just to keep on the lights
~#**************#~
Mommy got me training wheels so I could keep on my bike
~#**************#~
And you would give anything in this world
~#**************#~
Michael Jackson leather and a glove, but didnt give me a curl
~#**************#~
And you never put no man over me
~#**************#~
And I love you for that, mommy, cant you see?
~#**************#~
Seven years old, caught you with tears in your eyes
~#**************#~
‘Cause a nigga cheatin, telling you lies, then I started to cry
~#**************#~
As we knelt on the kitchen floor
~#**************#~
I said, “Mommy, Ima love you til you dont hurt no more
~#**************#~
And when Im older, you aint gotta work no more
~#**************#~
And Ima get you that mansion that we couldnt afford”
~#**************#~
See, youre unbreakable, unmistakable
~#**************#~
Highly capable lady thats makin loot
~#**************#~
A livin legend too, just look at what Heaven do
~#**************#~
Sent us an angel, and I thank you, Mama
~#**************#~
[Chorus]
~#**************#~
(Hey, Mama, ah, ow)
~#**************#~
I wanna scream so loud for you, cause Im so proud of you, and uh
~#**************#~
Let me tell you what Im about to do
~#**************#~
(Hey, Mama)
~#**************#~
I know I act a fool, but I promise you, Im goin back to school, and
~#**************#~
I appreciate what you allowed for me, and I
~#**************#~
I just want you to be proud of me
~#**************#~
(Hey, Mama)
~#**************#~
[Verse 2]
~#**************#~
Forrest Gump mama said, “Life is like a box of chocolates”
~#**************#~
My mama told me, “Go to school, get your doctorate
~#**************#~
Something to fall back on, you could profit with”
~#**************#~
But still supported me when I did the opposite
~#**************#~
Now I feel like its things I gotta get
~#**************#~
Things I gotta do, just to prove to you
~#**************#~
You was getting through, can the choir please
~#**************#~
Give me a verse of “You Are So Beautiful To Me”?
~#**************#~
Cant you see, youre like a book of poetry
~#**************#~
Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni
~#**************#~
Turn one page and theres my mommy
~#**************#~
Come on, Mommy, just dance wit me
~#**************#~
Let the whole world see your dancing feet
~#**************#~
Now when I say “Hey,” yall say, “Mama”
~#**************#~
Now everybody answer me, come on
~#**************#~
[Chorus]
~#**************#~
(Hey, Mama, ah, ow)
~#**************#~
I wanna scream so loud for you, cause Im so proud of you
~#**************#~
Let me tell you what Im about to do
~#**************#~
(Hey, Mama)
~#**************#~
I know I act a fool, but I promise you, Im goin back to school
~#**************#~
I appreciate what you allowed for me
~#**************#~
I just want you to be proud of me
~#**************#~
(Hey, Mama)
~#**************#~
[Break]
~#**************#~
I guess it also depends though if my ends low
~#**************#~
Second they get up, you gon get that Benzo
~#**************#~
Tint the windows, ride around the city and let your friends know (Hey, Mama)
~#**************#~
Tell your job you gotta fake em out
~#**************#~
Since you brought me in this world, let me take you out
~#**************#~
To a restaurant, upper echelon
~#**************#~
Ima get you a Jag, whatever else you want
~#**************#~
Just tell me what kind of S-Type Donda West like?
~#**************#~
Tell me the perfect color so I make it just right
~#**************#~
It dont gotta be Mothers Day or your birthday
~#**************#~
For me to just call and say
~#**************#~
[Outro]
~#**************#~
(Hey, Mama, ah, ow)
~#**************#~
I wanna scream so loud for you, cause Im so proud of you, and uh
~#**************#~
Let me tell you what Im about to do
~#**************#~
(Hey, Mama)
~#**************#~
You know I love you so, and
~#**************#~
I never let you go
~#**************#~
Wrote this song just so you know
~#**************#~
No matter where you go, our love is true
~#**************#~
(Hey, Mama)
~#**************#~
[Produced by Jon Brion & Kanye West]