You see, I left home at the age of twelve
Mama couldn't understand, but she wished me well
I remember her saying, she said
Son, there's gonna be a rough road ahead
I'll never forget the words my mama said
She, said
Baby, hang on in there
It might cost you your heart sometimes
I think I'll hang on there
Even though yo' mama gonna follow your desire
Things she told me, boy she sure said it right
She said,»I thought I'd let you know what you're up against
They're gonna try to keep your back up agaist the fence
They've got a way of breakin' your systems down
But make them proud,
Whenever there's a will, you'll find another way around
Hang on in there
She kept talkin' to me lord, She said
I think I'll hang on in there
You, Know I'm getting older now, long
But I'm still carrying on
When I'm gone I got a little something
I hope I can carry on
You know, this is a new day
And this is a new temptation
Doin' things the only way
That's why I gotta
I gotta hang on in there
Sometimes I wanna cry sometimes
But hang on in there
Well Mama
I never forgot what you said
I sing that song to my little boy
Ev'ry night before he go to bed