Thirty some odd years ago a young man came to Memphis
Askin' 'bout a rose that used to blossom in his world
People never took the time to mind the young man's questions
Until one day they heard him ask a little green eyed girl.

What's your mama's name, child, what's your mama's name
Does she ever talk about a place called New Orleans
Has she ever mentioned a man named Buford Wilson
What's your mama's name, child, what's your mama's name?

Twenty some odd years ago a [bad word] down in Memphis
Lost a month of life and labored to the county jail
Just because he asked a little green eyed girl a question
And offered her a nickel's worth of candy if she'd tell.

year and some odd days ago an old man died in Memphis
Just another wayward soul the county had to claim
Inside the old man's ragged coat they found a faded letter
That said you got a daughter and her eyes are Wilson green.

What's your mama's name, child, what's your mama's name
Does she ever talk about a place called New Orleans
Has she ever mentioned a man named Buford Wilson
What's your mama's name, child, what's your mama's name?

What's your mama's name child, what's your mama's name?...