Mama, it's the first line I wrote all the years I've been gone
I know you've heard about me About the jails and the things I've done wrong
But Mama, I want to see you And I know your love hasn't died
If one of your rapers is hanging in the tree When I drive by the house tonight
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When I drive by the house tonight
When I drive by the house tonight
When I was a little girl I'd play in mud holes
And get dirt all over my face
And you'd take your rake and wipe it off
And say, honey, stay away from that kind of place
Oh, but Mama, I've been playing in a big mud hole
And there's dirt all over my name
And Mama, even your clean little apron Couldn't wipe off all the shame
Oh, Mama, I want to see you And I know your love hasn't died
If one of your rapers is hanging in the tree
When I drive by the house tonight
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I'm now passing the neighbors' houses
Even they know of my disgrace
And for the very first time in my whole life
I'm scared to death to see the old home place
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At last, I've rounded the corner
And I can't believe what I see
Why, there's so many aprons hanging on the limbs
Mama, I can't even see the trees
Oh, Mama
I can't wait to hold you
And your arms are reaching for me
The prettiest sight I've seen in my life
Is you and the apron tree
And I try to fast forward