The Little Town Square

In the little town square in the Carroll County seat
Selling eggs and butter, trying to make enough to eat
Mama had a house full of children at home
Seven mouths to feed and my papa was gone

I'd walk a mile to town in my hand-me-down clothes
The rich kids a-laughing and a-thumbing their nose
Said, "Mama, don't you worry 'cause I really don't care
About the other children in the little town square"

Mama couldn't get credit at the general store
'Cause she wouldn't date him and the owner got sore
The women started talking and the men would all stare
When Mama was a-walking through the little town square

Bringing in water and a-chopping stove wood
We tried to help Mama just as much as we could
Brother was a-plowing with the old gray mare
While the other children played in the little town square

The women all said Mama wasn't no good
The men would make a pass anytime that they could
When Mama needed help, she couldn't get it nowhere
They all turned their backs in the little town square

Mama had to work just as hard as she could
Taking any job that nobody else would
We had enough to eat and we didn't go bare
No thanks to the people in the little town square

Well, Mama lived to see seven children all grown
Now she lies sleeping by a marble tombstone
And Mama's last words are a-written on there
God help the people in the little town square