I remember it all very well lookin' back    It was the summer i turned eighteen    We lived in a one room, rundown shack    On the outskirts of new orleans    We didn't have money for food or rent    To say the least we were hard pressed    And mama'd spent every last penny we had    To buy me a dancin' dress       She said here's your one chance fancy don't let me down    Here's your one chance fancy don't let me down       I knew what i had to do and i made myself this    Solemn vow    I's gonna be a lady someday although i didn't know when or how    But i couldn't see spending the rest of my life    With my head hung down in shame    You know i might have been born just plain white trash    But fancy was my name       She said here's your one chance fancy don't let me down    Here's your one chance fancy don't let me down       Lord, forgive me for what i do    But if you want out well it's up to you    Now don't let me down, no    You mama's gonna move you uptown       Lord, forgive me for what i do    But if you want out well it's up to you    Now don't let me down, no    You mama's gonna move you uptown       But fancy was my name