Shirley Caesar, I Remember Mama | Music Lifts

In the second edition of Music Lifts (2026), we’re uplifted by gospel music legend Shirley Caesar performing “I Remember Mama.”

[nx_dropcap]W[/nx_dropcap]elcome to Music Lifts, featuring songs that encourage, inspire, and uplift the spirit; songs that exude fortitude, positivity, and resolve, even in the face of adversity.  Featured songs aren’t genre-specific; songs may or may not be faith-based. The goal is for these songs to make you feel better – be LIFTED to new heights!  So, for the second edition of Music Lifts (2026), we highlight “I Remember Mama” as performed by Shirley Caesar.

[nx_pullquote]“I remember Mama, and the love that she gave / Kneeling by her bedside, I can still hear Mama say.”[/nx_pullquote] Pastor Shirley Caesar has sung about her mother numerous times.  These touching, maternal songs never grow old. Among the crème de la crème of her mama songs is “I Remember Mama”, the titular track from her 1989 album (a personal favorite). Caesar is thankful for having a caring, encouraging, and loving mother, asserting in the chorus, “I remember Mama, in a happy way.” The Pastor sings authentically and sincerely throughout, bringing the meaningful and moving lyrics to life, as well as the tuneful melodies.

Caesar lays out how wonderful her mother was – a true blessing from the Most High.  She states that “Mama kept the family together,” even in times of poverty. “She packed our lunch in an old, greasy bag,” she sings in the third verse, and continues, “It might have seemed empty / But it was more than others had / It had a lot of love way down deep inside.” Moving! Caesar acknowledges her mama is no longer living, memorably and poetically singing, “Now Mama is sleeping in the bosom of Jesus Christ / Somehow, I know she’s smiling, she’s smiling on us right now.” Beyond the singing, there is an unforgettable spoken bridge, where Caesar imparts a tale about playing church with her sibling.  Her mother disapproved of such. After Ann, Caesar’s sister, tattled, her mom observed Shirley, realizing, at that particular time, she wasn’t playing!

“Mama came to the door

When she looked out there and saw me shouting and dancing all over the back of the yard

Tears all over my face

It’s just a life higher

Mama looked out there, and she said, ‘She ain’t playing this time’.”

Backed by an anointed choir and anointed musicians, performing for a live audience, Shirley Caesar delivers the goods on “I Remember Mama”, a timeless, must-hear, faith-based mama song!