NF – MAMA Lyrics

“MAMA” is the second song in which NF addresses his late mother directly. However, unlike the angry and hurt tone of his April 2016 song “How Could You Leave Us”, “MAMA” is hopeful and forgiving, with NF praying that his mother ultimately found peace.

MAMA Lyrics by NF

[Intro]
Ooh-ooh, hey
Ooh-ooh, wow-oh-oh
Ooh-ooh, hey
Ooh-ooh, wow-oh-oh

[Verse 1]
Yeah, you ever make it up to the gate?
And if you did, I wonder, is it a beautiful place?
Did He put His arms around you, and make you feel like you’re safe?
Did He grab you by the hand and say that things are okay?
I gotta know mama, did He show you some grace?
Give you a pass and tell you He would carry the weight?
Do you smile more? Wonder what it’s like when you pray
Is He standing in front of you so you could look at His face?
When you talk to Him, does He talk back?
You ever have conversations about what you regrеt?
Or did it all go away once you got there? Doеs each breath
Take you closer to God? Would you say that you cry less?
Do you feel at peace yet?
Do you laugh more?
Do you feel like heaven is everything you could ask for?
I ever make it up there, when I see you, I hope you’re smiling
‘Cause you deserve it, pray to God that you found joy
And always know that—
[Chorus]
You don’t gotta cry, you don’t gotta cry no more
I hope you’re up there lookin’ down on us with a smile on your face
You don’t gotta cry, you don’t gotta cry no more
I hope you’re up there with God feeling loved and set free from your pain

[Verse 2]
Yeah, I look at the situation you had
Mighta made a mistake of leaving, but it’s makin’ me sad
Thinkin’ of you, how you grew up tryna cope with your past
Were you like me in your relationships and pushed away Dad?
I gotta know, Mama, did you think you were trash?
Something disposable, that nobody could love or be glad
To say they was with you, that issue is a issue I have
That’s why it hurt me when Britney gave me those letters you sent
I barely read any of ’em knowin’ I’d let them go to my head
And get to me, especially when I feel I related
Might not be around for my babies, but know when I say that I love you, that I mean it okay?
‘Cause nobody’s perfect
Yeah, I guess we all fall short
And I can’t hold this unforgiveness in my heart no more
So just know you’re
Loveable to me, and of course
You’ll always be Mama to us, we’ll save a table for four
And know that—

[Chorus]
You don’t gotta cry, you don’t gotta cry no more
I hope you’re up there lookin’ down on us with a smile on your face (On your face)
You don’t gotta cry, You don’t gotta cry no more (No more)
I hope you’re up there with God feeling loved and set free from your pain (Mama)
You don’t gotta cry, no

[Outro]
Yeah, I’m grown now
Took me a while to see the bigger picture
‘Cause if you were here today and I was talking with ya
It’d be a lot of tears of joy falling on my sweatshirt
Prolly followed by some apologies and “Mom, I missed ya”
Yeah, I pray you see me down here lookin’ up
Still got a lot of things that I need healin’ from
But I’ll get there eventually, so don’t you worry none
I just hope you finally got some peace and you feel happy
Mom, I love you