Thirty some odd years ago a young man came to Memphis
Askin' 'bout a rose that used to blossom in his world
People never took the time to mind the young man's questions
Until one day they heard him ask a little green eyed girl

What's your mama's name child, what's your mama's name
Does she ever talk about a place called New Orleans
Has she ever mentioned a man named Buford Wilson
What's your mama's name child, what's your mama's name

Twenty some odd years ago a drunkard down in Memphis
Lost a month of life and labor to the county jail
Just because he asked a little green eyed girl a question
And offered her a nickel's worth of candy if she'd tell

A year and some odd days ago an old man died in Memphis
Just another wayward soul the county had to claim
Inside the old man's ragged coat they found a faded letter
It said you have a daughter and her eyes are Wilson green

What's your mama's name child, what's your mama's name
Does she ever talk about a place called New Orleans
Has she ever mentioned a man named Buford Wilson
What's your mama's name child, what's your mama's name