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 and be something

'Oh, take your time don't live too fast
Troubles will come and they will p***
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
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, 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

'Oh, don't you worry, you'll find yourself
Follow your heart, Lord and nothing else
And you can do this, oh, baby, if you try
All that I want for you my son is to be satisfied'
One more thing

'Be a simple kind of man
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
Be something son you love and understand
Baby, be a simple, be a simple man
Oh, won't you do this for me son, if you can?'
Oh, yeah, yeah

Oh, mama, I'll be a simple man
Don't you know? Don't you know?
I am doing the best I can