Today is Mama's birthday, she's getting old and gray
I wanted to be there with her, but I'm too far away
I close my eyes and see her standing in a mist
Oh, how I wish that I was home to wish her happiness
Seventy years ago today was the day of my mama's birth
And a better mama never lived on the face of God's green earth
All the other kids are there with their hearts filled with glee
And mama's happy too, in a way
But I know she misses me
And I know the time that she'll miss me most
And that's when they'll start to eat
Cause every place will be filled but one
And that's the place that mama saved for me
And as they bow their heads to offer thanks
Well, I can hear my mama pray
Oh, Lord, why wasn't our other boy at home with us today?
And now, as I sit here so lonesome
With my eyes filled with tears
I think of all the worries and the heartaches and the sorrows
That I've caused mama through the years
But before I go to bed tonight
Here's what I'll ask as I pray
Dear God, please let me be home next year
For mama's birthday
She knows I love her
More than words can ever say

Oh, how I wish that I was home
For mama's birthday