mama, you've been on my mind

perhaps it is the color of the sun cut flat

and coverin' the crossroads i'm standing at

or maybe it's the weather or something like that

oh but mama you've been on my mind

i don't mean trouble please don't put me down don't get upset

i am not pleading or saying that i can't forget you

i do not pace the floor bowed down and bent but yet

oh mama you've been on my mind

even though my eyes are hazy and my thoughts they might be narrow

where you've been don't bother me or bring me down with sorrow

i don't even mind who you'll be waking with tomorrow

but mama you've been on my mind

i am not askin' you to say words like yes or no

please understand me i have no place i'm callin' you to go

i'm just whispering to myself so i can pretend that i don't know

oh mama you've been on my mind

when you wake up in the mornin' baby look inside your mirror

you know i won't be next to you you know i won't be near

i'd just be curious to know if you can see yourself as clear

as someone who has had you on his mind