Oh the path was deep and wide from footsteps leadin' 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 The corn was dry the weeds were high when daddy took the 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 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 lend a helping hand So let them gossip all they want she loved us and she raised us The proof is standing here the full grown man Last summer mama pa**ed away and left the ones who loved her Each and every one is more than grateful for their birth Each Sunday she receives the fresh bouquet of fourteen roses And the card that reads the greatest mom on earth Oh the path was deep and wide... Yes I'm the son of Hickory Holler's tramp