Mama always prayed that I'd be a better man than daddy
and I determined not to let her down
Deserted by the man she loved and left to raise four children
we were the local gossip of the town.

I promised her that I'd live right and not be like the others
but I wound up in jail on Chrismas day
I told her I'd be home and not to worry 'bout my brothers
when I got home my mom had passed away

(chorus)

And I hear tell the road to hell is paved with good intentions
and mama my intentions were the best
There's lotsa things in my life I just as soon not mention
Looks like I've turned out like all the rest
But mama my intentions were the best

A little boy with big blue eyes a-beggin' to go fishing
I promised him but never took the time
Now they won't let me see him and I sit here a-wishing
Wishin' I could hold him one more time

(repeat chorus)

But mama my intentions were the best