merle haggard-son of hickory holler’s tramp Lyrics

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. yeah
the weeds were high
the corn was dry
when daddy took to drinking
him and sally walker
they up and ran away
then momma shed a silent tear
and promised fourteen children
i swear you’ll never see a hungry day.” when momma sacrificed her pride the neighbours started talking but we were much too young to understand the things they said all we really cared about was momma’s chicken dumplings and a goodnight kiss before we went to bed. oh you know 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 lend a helping hand so just let ’em gossip all they want she loved us and she raised us the proof is standing here a full grown man. last summer momma passed away and left the ones who loved her each and every one is more than grateful for their birth and each sunday she receives a big bouquet of fourteen roses with a card that reads ‘the greatest mom on earth.’ oh you know 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.”