Birmingham Mistake

"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