Son Of Hickory Holler's Tramp Lyrics - Bobby Bare

The corn was dry and 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 fourteen 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 

When daddy left then 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 everyone of us were more than grateful for our birth 

Now every Sunday she receives a fresh bouquet of fourteen roses 

With a card that says to the greatest mom on earth 

Oh, the path was deep and wide 

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