She raised four kids on a waitress wageKept the lights on and turned the pageNever once let us see her cryJust a tired smile and a lullabyMama's handsRough from the work she never namedHolding the whole world up the sameEverything I am, I am because of mama's handsShe sewed our clothes and she stretched a dimeWorked the early and the overtimeGave us the bigger half of everythingAnd called it plenty, never wantingMama's handsRough from the work she never namedHolding the whole world up the sameEverything I am, I am because of mama's handsNow her hair's gone silver and her steps are slowAnd I've got more than she ever could knowAnd every dollar that I ever madeDon't come close to the debt I can't repaySo I'll hold her hand the way she held mineWalk her slow through the evening timeTell her thank you while there's time to tellThe strongest woman that I ever knew so wellMama's handsEverything I am, I am because of mama's hands
