Hank Williams
"I've Just Told Mama Goodbye"

I'VE JUST TOLD MAMA GOODBYE
Recorded by Hank Williams, Sr.
Words and music by Curley Kinsey and Sunshine Slim Sweet

[D] Each year on [A7] Mother's [D] day
The rose I [G] wore was [D] red
But [G] today I'm saying [D] my first prayer
Mama's lying on her [A7] dying [D] bed.

[D] I've just told [A7] Mama good-[D] bye
Mother's day has [G] turned to [D] night
Like the [G] flowers in May, she [D] withered away
And my red rose is [A7] turning [D] white.

This is the dreaded hour
We all must face someday
Yet there's consolation in my heart
She will bloom in the Master's bouquet.

Her time has come to go
And there's nothing I can do
Only hold her hand and say goodbye
Mama's day with her children is through.

I've just told Mama goodbye
And knelt beside her bed
I heard her say, "I'll meet you someday,
Where the white roses turn to red."