Expert: Mel Priddle - 12/4/2007

Question
I know the basic story line and can remember my grandma playing this song when I was a kid. I miss her terribly and really want to hear that song again, if you could help that would be awesome.  It talks about a woman whose husband either died or left and she has to take care of all their kids. Something about her being the whore of Butcher Holler, or Butcher Holler's whore because she slept with men to make money to take care of her kids. And the town folk shamed her but her kids realized the sacrifices she made for them, and every year on the anniversary of her death all her children leave her a red rose.  Thanks for your help.


Answer
Hello Amber,

I think you are probably referring O.C. Smith's 1968 hit, "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

Yeah, the weeds were high
The corn was dry
When daddy took to drinking
Him and Sally Walker
They up and ran away
Then Momma shed a silent tear
And promised fourteen children
"I swear you'll never see a hungry day"

When Momma sacrificed her pride
The neighbours started talking
But we were much too young
To understand the things they said
All we really cared about
Was Momma's chicken dumplings
And a goodnight kiss
Before we went to bed

Oh, you know, 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 lend a helping hand
So just let 'em gossip all they want
She loved us, and she raised us
The proof is standing here
A full grown man

Last summer Momma passed away
And left the ones who loved her
Each and every one is
More than grateful for their birth
And each Sunday she receives
A big bouquet of fourteen roses
With a card that reads
'The Greatest Mom on Earth'

Oh, you know, 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


Glad to be of help. Cheers........Mel.