Perhaps it's 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
but mama you been on my mind

I do not mean you trouble, don't put me down, don't get upset
I am not pleadin' or sayin' I can't forget you
I do not pace the floor, bowed down and bent, but yet
mama you been on my mind

Even tho' my eyes are hazy
and my thoughts they might be narrow
where you been don't bother me, or bring me down with sorrow
I don't even mind where you be wakin' up tomorrow
but mama you been on my mind

I'm not asking you to say words like yes or no
Please understand me, I've no place I'm calling you to go
I'm just whisperin' to myself so I can pretend that I don't know
Mama you 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
As someone who has had you on his mind
Mama you been on my mind