Ahhh, ahh-ah-ahhhhh, hear my mother call Ahhh, ahh-ah-ahhhhh, hear my mother call I was one of five born to my mother An older sister and three young brothers We've seen it hard, we've seen it kind of rough But always with a smile, she was sure to try to hide The fact from us that life was really tough I can hear my mother call I can hear my mother call (Ahhh, ahh-ah-ahhhhh) Late at night I hear her call Oh lord, lord I hear her call She said, "Father, father it's for the kids (Ahhh, ahh-ah-ahhhhh) Any and every thing I did. Please, please don't judge me too strong. Lord knows I meant no wrong. Lord knows I meant no wrong." Then the devil sang "Would you like to dance with me? (Ooh-ahh-ooh) We're doin' the cosmic slop." (Ooh-ahh-ooh) (x3) She was well known through the ghetto Tricks would come and then they'd go The neighbors would talk and call her Jezebel But always with a smile, she was sure to try to hide The fact from us that she was catching hell, hey! Hear my mother call I can hear my mother call (Ahhh, ahh-ah-ahhhhh) Late at night I hear her call Oh lord, lord I hear her call She says, "Father, father it's for the kids (Ahhh, ahh-ah-ahhhhh) Any and every thing I did. Please, please don't judge me too strong. Lord knows I meant no wrong. Lord knows I meant no wrong." Lord! (Ahhh, ahh-ah-ahhhhh) Hear my mother call (Ahhh, ahh-ah-ahhhhh) Hear my mother call She says, "Father, father it's for the kids (ooh-ah-ooh) Any and every thing I did. (ooh-ah-ooh) Please, please don't judge me too strong. Hear my mother call (ooh-ah-ooh) Hear my mother call (Ahhh, ahh-ah-ahhhhh)