Mama Would

[LYDIA]
Mama would take her foot off the gas on the way back home
On the way back home from school
Slip into neutral at the top of the hill and away we’d roll
No braking ‘cause braking was breaking the rules

Mama could roleplay like nobody else
Pretend we were birds and make nests in the house
One time she spat chewed up food in my mouth
She was free, she was everything a mother should be
When nobody else believed in me, Mama would

Mama would never accept things just the way they were
Mama would always see so much more
Like the way she’d say “We're being chased by a murderer!”
As she fumbled for the keys to the door

No matter how awkward or hard, Mama would ask
Mama would never presume
When others would hide or pretend
Mama made friends with the elephants in the room

She’d want us to talk about her
Why doesn’t he talk about her?
I know, sure as hell, that if the shoe was on the other foot
That Mama would

Daddy was never always this imperious
Mama would actually make him laugh
She’d say “Charles, life’s too important to be serious”
Then she’d throw his phone in the trash

Mama was positive, mama was pure
Made me less dark and Dad less insecure
No matter how rough the path, Mom would endure
She was fun, she was bright and as warm as the sun

Now that I’m seeing you spirit to spirit
What if I left home but Mama’s still in it?
I’ve got to find her and you are the sign that I should
Oh, 'cause Mama would
Mama would
Mama would