Mama

Chorus: There sits Mama old and gray, Rocking, rocking night and day, Her life was always full and gay, Till that day, Pa went away. Narration: Time was when she was so young, Raven haired and full of fun, Many a beau would come to call, But her heart she gave to Pa. She would flirt and tease them all, Wear her shoes out at a ball, Pa just stood there with a grin, Some how he knew, she'd marry him. Their life began on a bright sunny day, In a little church in I-o-way, They packed their things, joined a wagon train, And headed west to the open plain. They didn't have much, like most folks then, A change of clothes and a couple ol' hens, Some pots and pans and a hog or two, And Pa's big stallion called Ol' Blue. Ma road the wagon and helped Mrs. Green, Pa helped Fred with the cattle and things, When evening came and chores were through, Ma'd help Pa brush down Ol' Blue. They couldn't travel very fast, But Pa and Ma made each day last, Every minute of every day, Seemed a treasure to store away. They went through snow, rain and sand, Until they reached, Dakota Land, Some how in their hearts they knew, Here at last, their journey was through. They took the land the law allowed, Built a sod house and small corral, And as their family grew and grew, More land, was added too. It was a struggle, you can bet, To raise a family on just plain sweat, When evening came and supper et, From the Bible Papa read. Through Indian raids and summer drought, When Prairie fires burned them out, Buffalo stampedes and winter's freeze, Pa and Ma'd be on their knees. They taught us the laws of God and man, No finer couple, in the land, They were always there at beckon call, To take our hand lest we should fall. No matter what hardships or trails they knew, Together, they did see them through, And for 68 years this proved true, As their home on the prairie, grew and grew. It breaks my heart to see Mama there, Sitting in her rocking chair, She's just waiting till the angels call, To take her home to be with Pa. Chorus: Cile Beer written l975