[Intro]
Well, the thing is, I-I'd always work hard
And try to, you know, keep a good income so I could support my family
And at Christmastime, I had to spend extra to make sure that the children had a good holiday
And 'cause they didn't understand, you know, what Christmas was all about
[Verse 1]
Christmastime Mama always came through in the clutch
Felt bad, thinking back I didn't give you much
For what you live through you deserve to have it all
Used to take us to get pics with Santa at the mall
Don't recall a single year with nothin' under the tree
Christmas morning in our apartment, it was somethin' to see
More important than the gifts yo, you kept us fair
And the proof was in my waistline, enough said
Back then I got almost any thing I liked
GI Joе, Transformers, or a brand new bike
Spoilеd me rotten on that day and my day of birth
But what you did on holidays don't illustrate your worth
It's what you did behind the scenes to keep the family afloat
Tryna minimize the struggle when your actually broke
So I wrote a little something just to honor your grace
And the sacrifice you made to put a smile on my face
[Chorus]
Felt like simpler times to my simple mind
But good and bad times are forever intertwined
Felt like simpler times to my simple mind
Mama always did the best she could to provide
[Verse 2]
As child I only cared about gifts, of course
Focused on what you got me, never what you lost
Learned later you lost your mom on Christmas day
Before my time, but I'm sure you never were the same
Wasn't gifted with her presence, but I heard she was strict
Like most women in our fam, she didn't take no —
He you are decades later still mourning the death
Had many tearful Christmas mornings while all of us slept
You're stronger than we know and that's sayin' the least
Slavin' at your job, come home, and make us a feast
Didn't know how hard you had it 'cause you kept it from me
But your darkest days came to light inevitably
Pullin' every string you could before you let us down
Livin' proof that not every queen wears a crown
You weren't without your flaws, but you mastered resilience
This is just a little thank you on behalf of your children
[Chorus]
Felt like simpler times to my simple mind
But good and bad times are forever intertwined
Felt like simpler times to my simple mind
Mama always did the best she could to provide
[Bridge]
Things aren't as simple as it was then
Really thought it was but it wasn't
Summer's done, Fall back, Winter's coming
Hope we spring forward like it's nothing
[Verse 3]
This time of year we usually make the trip to spend it with you
Leading the fam, but change of plans until these issues improve
With the virus, already missed a visit or two
We're just tryna keep you safe, this ain't just an excuse
I take after you, tryna do whats best for the fam
Makin' tough choices that the babies don't understand
But it's easier for me, I see it now that I'm grown
Sometimes you had help but mostly had to do it alone
Then give Santa all the credit, that was so misleading
You just wanted us to have something that we could believe in
I feel you, I do the same with mine but with Kwanzaa
But it's real heroes like yourself that deserve to be honored
I love you, Mama
[Chorus]
Felt like simpler times to my simple mind
But good and bad times are forever intertwined
Felt like simpler times to my simple mind
Mama always did the best she could to provide
[Outro]
It was always a struggle, but I always managed to keep enough food in the house
And have a big dinner for y'all and stuff like that
So, my mind wouldn't be so bogged down with memories of losing my mother
But I always was sure depressed the early part of Christmas morning
And I tried to get up early so I could get myself together
So I'll be happy for y'all, and y'all could see a smile on my face
I feel like if you believe in anything, you gon' trust in God
Eventually, you know, and it's gon' help you through life
And I always trusted in God, that it would make things possible in his own way and his own time
