mama always prayed that i'd be a better man than daddy
and i determined not to let her down
deserted by the man she loved and left to raise four children
we were the local gossip of the town. i promised her that i'd live right and not be like the others
but i wound up in jail on chrismas day
i told her i'd be home and not to worry 'bout my brothers
when i got home my mom had passed away
and i hear tell the road to hell is paved with good intentions
and mama my intentions were the best
there's lotsa things in my life i just as soon not mention
looks like i've turned out like all the rest
but mama my intentions were the best
a little boy with big blue eyes a-beggin' to go fishing
i promised him but never took the time
now they won't let me see him and i sit here a-wishing
wishin' i could hold him one more time
and i hear tell the road to hell is paved with good intentions
and mama my intentions were the best
there's lotsa things in my life i just as soon not mention
looks like i've turned out like all the rest
but mama my intentions were the best
but mama my intentions were the best