It was nineteen seventy-six when I met you We were seniors Hallway chatter Lockers slamming shut High school prom flyers taped to every door I was hoping Just hoping you’d ask You walked up My heart just stopped mid-step You held both my hands I forgot how to breathe You said “Would you go to the prom with me?” I said yes so fast you laughed with me In the dress my mama sewed Stitch by stitch Every thread was hope We both cried when I put it on Her love all over that old living room floor I didn’t have much But that night it showed I was rich in the dress my mama sewed We didn’t have money I tried not to care But empty hangers can make you feel small I said “Mama I’ve got nothing to wear” She just smiled Said “Baby I’ve got it all” She took me to the fabric store downtown Ran her fingers through the remnants and rolls Pinned a pattern to my shaking shoulders Sewed all night Whispering dreams into folds In the dress my mama sewed Stitch by stitch Every thread was hope We both cried when I put it on Her love all over that old living room floor I didn’t have much But that night it showed I was rich in the dress my mama sewed The hem brushed my shoes Your corsage pinned my dress The band played some slow tune And we swayed And we kissed (oh, we kissed) Mama’s work in every shimmer Every sway Her courage on my back as we danced away In the dress my mama sewed Stitch by stitch Every thread was hope We both cried when I put it on Her love all over that old living room floor I didn’t have much But that night it showed I was rich in the dress my mama sewed Yeah I was rich In the dress my mama sewed (ooh yeah)
