Diana Ross and The Supremes
I’m Livin’ In Shame Mom was cooking breadShe wore a dirty raggety scarf around her headAlways had her stockings low, rolled to her feetShe just didn’t knowShe wore a sloppy dressOh, no matter how she tried, she always looked a mess
Out of the pot she ate, never used a fork or a dinner plate
I was always so afraid for my uptown friends to see her
Afraid one day when I was grown, that I would be her
Ah, in a college townAway from home a new identity I foundSaid I was born elite, with maids and servants at my feetI must have been insaneI lied and said momma died on a weekend trip to Spain
She never got out of the house, never even boarded a train
Married a guy, was living highI didn’t want him to know herShe a grandson, two years old
That I never even showed her
I’m living in shameMomma I miss youI know you’re not to blame
Momma I miss you
Came a telegramMomma passed away while making homemade jamBefore she died, she cried to see me by her sideShe always did her bestAh, cooking, cleaning, always in the same old dressWorking hard down on her knees
Always trying to please
Momma, momma, momma can you hear me?
Momma, momma, momma can you hear me?
I’m living in shame, momma I miss youI know you’ve done you’re bestMomma I miss youWon’t you forgive me mom?For all the wrong I’ve doneI know you’ve done your bestOh, I know you’ve done your very best you couldBut I’m never understood
Working hard down on her knees…