Motherless children have a hard time
When mother's gone
Motherless children have a hard time
When mother's gone
Father will do the best he can
He don't always understand
Motherless children have a hard time
When mother's gone

Mother told me I must obey
When mother's gone
Mother told me I must obey
When mother's gone
Mother told me I must obey
Let religion have its way
Mother told me I must obey
When mother's gone

Mother told me I must pray
When mother's gone
Mother told me I must pray
When mother's gone
Mother told me I must pray
Get my feet in Jesus's way
Mother told me I must pray
When mother's gone