She'd wake us up early every mornin'   She'd help us say our prayers every night   She was always there to help us through the hard times   We could count on her to make everything alright      I remember swingin' on the front porch   Papa said, "There's somethin' I need to say tonight   Mama's been sick for a long time   Let's pray to God she can make it through tonight"      Mama, don't wanna say goodbye   She said wipe those tears from your eyes   Mama, I don't wanna say goodbye   It was written in the Heavens and the skies above   Son I gave you birth, showed you all my love   I can't think of this life without you, it's hard to try   Oh, mama, I'm afraid to say goodbye      "Now kids I've been hangin' on a long time   I hate to leave this world before you're grown   Remember everything that I taught you   Remember all the good times when I'm gone      Oh, mama, don't wanna say goodbye   She said "Wipe those tears from your eyes"   Mama, I don't wanna say goodbye   It was written in the Heavens and the skies above   "Son I gave you birth, showed you all my love"   I can't think of this life without you but it's hard to try   Oh, mama, I'm afraid to say goodbye      She whispered in my ear before she passed away   "Son it's time to be a man ain't nothin' left to say   Jesus walked on water, I know it's true   When it comes time he'll call you home, I hope you're ready too"      Mama don't wanna say goodbye   Wipe those tears from your eyes   Mama, I don't wanna say goodbye   Written in the Heavens and the skies above   Gave you birth, showed you all my love   Can't think of this life without you but it's hard to try   Oh, mama, I'm afraid to say goodbye, oh, mama      Oh, mama, I don't wanna say goodbye, oh