The corn was dry, the weeds were high
when Daddy took to drinkin'
Then him and Lucy Walker,
they took up and run away
Mama cried a tear and then she
promised fourteen children
I swear you'll never see
a hungry day.
When mama sacrificed her pride
the neighbours started talkin'
But I was much too young to
understand a thing they said
The things that mattered most
of all was Mama's chicken dumplin's
And a goodnight kiss before
we went to bed.
Oh, the path was deep and wide
from footsteps leading to our cabin
Above the door there burned a scarlet lamp
And late at night a hand would knock
and there would stand a stranger
Yes, I'm the son of Hickory Holler's tramp.
When daddy left and destitution
came upon our family
Not one neighbour volunteered
to give a helpin' hand
So let 'em gossip all they want,
she loved us and she raised us
The proof is standin' here,
a full grown man.
Last summer Mama passed away
and left the ones who loved her
Each and every one was more
than grateful for their birth
Each Sunday she receives
a fresh bouquet of fourteen roses
And a card that says
The greatest Mom on earth.
Oh, the path was deep and wide
from footsteps leading to our cabin
Above the door there burned a scarlet lamp
And late at night a hand would knock
and there would stand a stranger
Yes, I'm the son of Hickory Holler's tramp.
Oh, the path was deep and wide
from footsteps leading to our cabin
Above the door there burned a scarlet lamp
And late at night a hand would knock
and there would stand a stranger
Yes, I'm the son of Hickory Holler's tramp.
Oh, the path was deep and wide
from footsteps leading to our cabin
Above the door there burned a scarlet...
