I remember it all very well lookin' back It was the summer i turned eighteen We lived in a one room, rundown shack On the outskirts of new orleans We didn't have money for food or rent To say the least we were hard pressed And mama'd spent every last penny we had To buy me a dancin' dress She said here's your one chance fancy don't let me down Here's your one chance fancy don't let me down I knew what i had to do and i made myself this Solemn vow I's gonna be a lady someday although i didn't know when or how But i couldn't see spending the rest of my life With my head hung down in shame You know i might have been born just plain white trash But fancy was my name She said here's your one chance fancy don't let me down Here's your one chance fancy don't let me down Lord, forgive me for what i do But if you want out well it's up to you Now don't let me down, no You mama's gonna move you uptown Lord, forgive me for what i do But if you want out well it's up to you Now don't let me down, no You mama's gonna move you uptown But fancy was my name