Forty some odd years ago
A young man came to Memphis
Asking about a rose
That used to blossom in his world
People never took the time
To mind the young man's questions
Till 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 labored to the country 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
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?
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
Does she ever talk about
A place called New Orleans