Mama never said it would be easy
If only she would take my hand and show me what to do
It gives me the blues to walk the long and narrow path I do
But you have to get the blues to get anywhere at all
You have to get the blues to get anywhere at all

I just want to live my life in harmony
The way I try you'd think I'd see it frequently
Why do I keep getting fussin', fightin', cussin', strife and trouble?
You have to get the blues to get anywhere at all
You have to get the blues to get anywhere at all

Mama never said it would be easy
But she never told me it would be so hard
Softening the edges doesn't please me
It could never soothe my searching heart

Dime store puzzles fit together nicely
But the pieces of my life don't fit precisely
Stories mama told me always had a happy ending
But I have to tell my own to get anywhere at all
I have to tell my own to get anywhere at all

Mama knew the rules and kept on smiling
Even though her spirit was in hiding
But when I hide my thoughts collide
And I get caught up in the lie
You have to kiss the sky to get anywhere at all
You have to kiss the sky to get anywhere at all

Mama never said it would be easy
But she never told me it would be so hard
Softening the edges doesn't please me
It could never soothe my searching heart