Joan Armatrading Mama Papa
I was born on an Island
St. Kitts
In a little biddy town
Had a mama and a papa
Four brothers and a sister
Mama papa told us
Play hard
Fight fair
Live life
And love the Lord
I said love the Lord
Said love the Lord
Their choice was
The United Kingdom
Living in Birmingham
When they wanted to spread their wings
And fly away
Seven people in one room
No heat
One wage
And bills to pay
I said bills to pay
Gotta pay those bills
Now when you're walking on heaven's floor
Talking in the ear of God
What you gonna say to the man
When he asks you what you've done
Can you say you did your very best
With what you had
Like my mama and my papa
I know two people who served up love
And a whole lot more
They made us hold our sides with laughter all night long
Oh they made us laugh
Until we cried
Till we begged them stop
Or we'll split our sides
Now when you're walking on heaven's floor
Talking in the ear of God
What you gonna say to the man
When he asks you what you've done
Can you say you did your very best
With what you had
Like my mama and my papa
