Beale Street mama
Why don't you come back home?
It isn't proper to leave your papa all alone!
Sometimes I was cruel, that's true
But mama, your sweet papa never two-timed you
Boo-hoo, I'm blue
So how come you do me like you do?
I'm cryin'!

Beale Street mama, don't you mess around with me!
There's fancy pettin' that I can get in Tennessee
I still get my sweet cookies, constantly
But not the kind you served to me
Oh, Beale Street mama, come back home!