You could've been bitter, you could've hated him
You could've talked about the whiskey and the women
He couldn've done better, but you loved him anyhow
Then you taught us all the power of forgiveness

[Chorus:]
Mama, you were smiling when you could've been crying all night
Mama, you made me believe everything was alright
Mama, you never wore your pain too thick
I'd like to thank you for this

You could've fought, you could've cut him down to shame
You could've told us that our daddy didn't want us
But that wasn't true, and you knew it all along
It was a struggle between the road and loving you

[Chorus:]
Mama, you were smiling when you could've been crying all night
Mama, you made me believe everything was alright
Mama, you never wore your pain too thick
I'd like to thank you for this

[Bridge:]
You did more good for me than you will ever know
I've seen mothers fill their childrens hearts with hate
But you knew better than to drag me down with you
You let me love my daddy just the same

[Chorus:]
Mama, you were smiling when you could've been crying all night
Mama, you made me believe everything was alright
Mama, you never wore your pain too thick
I'd like to thank you for this
Oh I'd like to thank you for this