Had me at seventeen Got kicked out of your house Three jobs to make ends meet While we would sleep on your friend's couch Raised me all by yourself Never knew how that felt Missed late-night karaoke Born and raised on Lauryn Hill Oh, all I got are these words I've got to tell you before I leave this world that Mama, if I die before you Mama, if I die before you, it's not on purpose Mama, if I go before you, it's not on purpose And Mama, you're always perfect You're always perfect The way men treated you Just know it's not your fault I tried to swing, you shouted "Please don't, please don't knock 'em out" Just know it's not too late I hope you find someone Who makes you smile as much as You made me when I was young Oh, all I got are all these words I've got to tell you before I leave this world that Mama, if I die before you Mama, if I die before you, it's not on purpose Mama, if I go before you, it's not on purpose And Mama, you're always perfect You're always perfect Oooh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah Oooh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah Oooh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah Oooh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah Oh, all I got are all these words I've got to tell you before I leave this world that Mama, if I die before you Mama, if I die before you, it's not on purpose Mama, if I go before you, it's not on purpose And Mama, you're always perfect You're always perfect