Merle Haggard — The Son of Hickory Holler’s Tramp

[Chorus] 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 [Verse 1] The corn was dry and the weeds were high when Daddy took to drinking Him and Lucy Walker, they took up and ran 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 the things they said The thing that mattered most of all was Mama's chicken dumplings And a goodnight kiss before we went to bed [Chorus] 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 [Verse 2] When Daddy left and destitution came upon our family Not one neighbor volunteered to give 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 Mama passed away and left the ones who loved her Each and every one is more than grateful for their birth Each Sunday, she receives a fresh bouquet of fourteen roses And a card that reads "The Greatest Mom on Earth" [Chorus] 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 Yea, I'm the son of Hickory Holler's tramp