Mama told me when I was young
"Come sit beside me, my only son
And listen closely to what I say
And if you do this, it'll help you some sunny day"
Oh yeah, to be a simple man
"Oh, take your time, don't live too fast
Troubles will come and they will pass
Go find a woman, oh baby, you'll find love
And don't forget son, there is someone up above"
And be a simple kind of man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby be a simple, be a simple man
Oh, won't you do this for me son if you can?
Forget your lust for the rich man's gold
All that you need, oh Lord, is in your soul
And you can do this, oh baby, if you try
All that I want for you my son is to be satisfied
And be a simple kind of man
Be something you love and understand
Baby be a simple, oh be a simple man
Oh, won't you do this for me son if you can?
Oh, yes, I will, oh, I will be a simple man
Boy, don't you worry, you'll find yourself
Follow your heart, Lord, and nothin' else
And you can do this, oh baby, if you try
All that I want for you my son is to be satisfied
Be a simple kind of man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby be a simple, be a simple man
Oh, won't you do this for me son if you can?
Baby be a simple, oh be a simple man
Oh, be something child, you love and understand
Baby be a simple, be a simple man
Oh, won't you, won't you do this for me son if you can? Oh, yeah
Oh, Mama, I will be a simple man
Don't you know? Don't you know?
Lord, I'm doing the best I can