The Son of Hickory Holler’s Tramp Kenny Rogers

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 neighbors started talking
But I was much too young to understand a thing they said
The things that mattered most of all was Mama's chicken dumplings
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 neighbor volunteered to give a helping hand
So let 'em gossip all they want
She loved us and she raised us
The proof is standing here
A full grown man