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 Bueferd Wilson

What's your mama's name child

What's your mama's name

Twenty some odd years ago

A drunk went 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

So the county had to claim

Inside the old mans ragged coat

They found a faded letter

It said you have 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 Bueferd Wilson

What's your mama's name child

What's your mama's name