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 Christmas 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 But Mama my intentions were the best There's lots of things in my life I'd just as soon not to mention Looks like I turned out like all the rest But Mama my intentions were the best A little boy with big blue eyes A-beggin' to go fishin' I promised him but never took the time Now they won't let me see him And I sit here a-wishin' Wishin' I could hold him one more time CHORUS: And I hear tell the road to hell Is paved with good intentions But Mama my intentions were the best There's lots of things in my life I'd just as soon not to mention Looks like I turned out like all the rest But Mama my intentions were the best But Mama my intentions were the best