Pretty Ella Arkansas

Pretty Ella Arkansas
Birthed 9 daughters and a son
She was a sure shot with a pistol
And here bare feet loved to run
There was raven hair and brown skin
Green eyes and a crooked smile
There were freckles on her shoulders
From sun-kissed country miles

Well her Papa died in prison
The day she turned 16
Set Ella free from a life of sin
When he got that old TB

Ella'd never known her Mama
'cept for that picture on the wall
Oh but she blessed her in her prayers each night
Knowin' someday she would call

Pretty Ella Arkansas
Dangdest thing I ever saw
Racing with a northbound freight
Choose your car and jump inside
Keep the faith and hold on tight
Everything's gonna be alright
For pretty Ella Arkansas
Just keep following the light

Was in the heat of that same summer
When she met her children's Pa
At a downtown dance in Hot Springs
Sweat and rhythm filled the hall
When Miller Jacobs saw our girl
He had to blink and rub his eyes
Thought the whiskey must be playin' tricks
Or there was an angel in disguise

Pretty Ella Arkansas
Dangdest thing I ever saw
Racing with a northbound freight
Choose your car and jump inside
Keep the faith and hold on tight
Everything's gonna be alright
For pretty Ella Arkansas
Just keep following the light

It happened so fast
Winter blew past
The bride she was dressed in all white

Pretty Ella Arkansas
Birthed 9 daughters and a son
Became the Mother she'd always wished she'd had
Lived ripe and full to 91
Old Miller Jacobs loved that girl
And when they laid herin the ground
Everybody knew he'd be following soon
As the rain came pourin'down

Pretty Ella Arkansas
Dangdest thing I ever saw
Racing with a northbound freight
Choose your car and jump inside
Keep the faith and hold on tight
Everything's gonna be alright
For pretty Ella Arkansas
Just keep following the light