It was an early summer day   But it seems like just yesterday   When mama looked right in my face   And told me she was going away   If I could count all the tears that I cried   I'd be empty and lost inside   So I'll try to find a smile   and hold my head up high      Mama said, don't cry   I'm going away up high   Don't be afraid, be strong   Just keep on holding on      Mama said, don't cry   Dry all the tears from your eyes   Don't be afraid, be strong   Just keep on holding on      So young, but yet so wise   So much beauty was in her eyes   No one could quite explain   just why she had to face the pain   But when the day comes and hits your time   only God knows the reason why   She was my angel, my light, and my friend   But one day we'll be together again      But now that I know she has   gone away, gone away, gone away   There were days when I wish that I could   run away, run away, run away   And if I could, there would be another   summer day, summer day, summer day   when I could see my mother's face again      'Cause mama said, don't cry   I'm goin away, way up high   Don't be afraid, be strong   Just keep on holding on      'Cause mama said, baby don't ya cry   Just dry all the tears from your eyes   Don't be afraid, be strong   Just keep holding on      And on and on and on and on and on   Gone away, gone away , gone away   Run away, run away, run away   Summer day, summer day, summer day   Will see my mother's face again....