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 neighbors 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 duplins And a goodnight kiss before we went to bed Oh, the path was deep and wide from footsteps into the cabin Above the door the burnin' started playin' And late at night a hand would knock and there would stand a stranger Yes, I'm the son of Hickory Harvest Tree When Daddy left and destitution came upon our family Not one neighbor volunteered to give a helping hand So let them gossip all they want, she loved us and she raised us The proof is standing here for her name Last summer Mama passed away and left the ones who loved her Each and every one is more than grateful for the birth Each Sunday she receives a fresh bouquet of fourteen roses And a card that says the greatest Mama heard Oh, the path was deep and wide from footsteps into our cabin Above the door the burnin' started playin' And late at night a hand would knock and there would stand a stranger Yes, I'm the son of Hickory Harvest Tree Oh, the path was deep and wide from footsteps into our cabin Above the door the burnin' started playin' And late at night a hand would knock and there would stand a stranger Yes, I'm the son of Hickory Harvest Tree Oh, the path was deep and wide from footsteps into our cabin Above the door the burnin' started playin' And late at night a hand would knock and there would stand a stranger Yes, I'm the son of Hickory Harvest Tree