The corn was dry, the weeds were high when Daddy took to drinkin' Then him and Lucy Walker, they took up and run 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 neighbours started talkin' But I was much too young to understand a thing they said The things that mattered most of all was Mama's chicken dumplin's And a goodnight kiss before we went to bed. Oh, the path was deep and wide from footsteps leading 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. When daddy left and destitution came upon our family Not one neighbour volunteered to give a helpin' hand So let 'em gossip all they want, she loved us and she raised us The proof is standin' here, a full grown man. Last summer Mama passed away and left the ones who loved her Each and every one was more than grateful for their birth Each Sunday she receives a fresh bouquet of fourteen roses And a card that says The greatest Mom on earth. Oh, the path was deep and wide from footsteps leading 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. Oh, the path was deep and wide from footsteps leading 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. Oh, the path was deep and wide from footsteps leading to our cabin Above the door there burned a scarlet...