Twenty One

(album: Memories Of Home - 1961)

Precious sacred seems unfold

Twenty one, boy, twenty one
Now you were just a young feller son the night your mama died
You don't remember but we were right there by mama's side
Your ma had a sickness son all the works she'd done
And she prayed all her life that God would let her raise you to be twenty one
Now me and you never moved the town boy we just kept on living here
And life's been pretty tough son with the past twenty one years
I remember when you were just a little feller I sued to take you to church
And it seemed my boy in the choir
With the other boys kinda give old dad's heart a jerk
You sounded like a little angel boy and to me you sure did look sweet
Even though your little ragged britches came halfway to your little feet
After the service was over it filled your papa's heart full of joy
When the preacher petted you on your little head
Looked over me and say you sure got a fine little boy
Then me and you we'd get in the wagon and you'd look over me and smile
Then I'd hand you the line and let you drive the team for a while
Yeah, boy me and you had lot of fun we smiled through a lot of tears
And I wish you could have been a boy for a many million years
But if it's true son that time takes its toe
That's why the boys grow up and men grow old
Yeah, life's been tough for you and me too son
And I prayed to God to let me raise ye to be twenty one
But tonight my life's bout over and my work on earth's bout done
I guess I'll go to see the Lord and live with your mama
Cause tonight, son, you're twenty one