The Son of Hickory Hollow’s Tramp Songtext
von Bobby Bare

The corn was dry, the weeds were high when daddy took to drinking
Then him and Lucy Walker, they took up and ran away
Mama cried a tear and then she promised 14 children
"I swear you′ll never see a hungry day"

Oh, the path was deep and wide from footsteps leading to our cabin
Above the door there burned the 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 mama sacrificed her pride, the neighbors started talkin'
But I was much too young to understand the things they said
The things that mattered most of all was mama's chicken dumplings
And the 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 the 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

Last summer mama passed away and left the ones who loved her
Each and every one of us were more than grateful for our birth
Now every Sunday she receives a fresh bouquet of 14 roses
With a card that says, to the greatest mom on earth

Oh, the path was deep and wide from footsteps leading to our cabin
Above the door there burned the 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

Yes, I′m the son of Hickory Holler's tramp