Birmingham Mistake
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"Birmingham Mistake" is a country song written by Gene Dobbins, Johnny Wilson, and Tom Austin. It was recorded by Sammi Smith and released as the B-side to her 1973 Mega Records single "The Rainbow in Daddy's Eyes." It was re-released on her 1976 Acrobat Records double album Help Me Make It Through The Night.
The lyrics express regret from a child that was left abandoned on a doorstep in Birmingham.
- "Well she just couldn't stand the scandal,
- It was more than she could handle.
- and I thank her for leavin' me so warm.
- on a doorstep in a basket
- which was better than a casket
- before she blew town like a gentle storm
- when she left, she left me no name
- folks here tagged me Sho-name
- and bein' born was my first big bad break
- I wish now that I'd been put down
- In a better part of this town
- When she got rid of a Birmingham mistake
- Cause I'm livin' with the burden
- Of livin' down the Birmingham mistake
- The longer that I live
- Makes me wonder just how long its gonna take
- When will I have a change of luck
- When will things start lookin' up
- Livin' down this Birmingham mistake
- Life ain't been a bed of roses
- People still look down their noses
- I was born without the icing on cake
- It wasn't me who did the choosin'
- But it's me who's doin' the losin'
- Well I was born a Birmingham mistake
- Now I'm livin' with the burden
- Of livin' down the Birmingham mistake
- The longer that I live
- Makes me wonder just how long its gonna take
- When will I have a change of luck
- When will things start lookin' up
- I'm livin' down this Birmingham mistake
References
- Mathews, Burgin (September 10, 2009) "Do That Stomp: 20 Days, 20 Birmingham Songs" Pavo magazine