Track 3 — Mama Lucy and Papa's John Deere

[Spoken Intro — Warm North Georgia Accent, Gentle Acoustic Picking] Well, I’ll tell y’all something… Back when I was growing up on Watson Drive, my Papa was a quiet man. Didn’t say a whole lot. But you could sure tell what he loved. He had this little John Deere tractor… And buddy, that man was proud of that thing! And then there was Mama Lucy. Now she had a whole different way of doing things! [Laughs] [Verse 1 — Bouncy Acoustic Guitar, Light Banjo] Saturday morning, sun coming up, Papa had his overalls on. That little green tractor would come to life, And he’d mow that yard till the grass was gone. Two or three acres, far as I could see, Papa riding proud as a man could be. Didn’t talk too much, didn’t need to explain, Just that John Deere rolling down the lane. [Chorus — Upbeat Country Swing] Oh, Mama Lucy and Papa’s John Deere, Those were the days that I hold so dear. Watermelon vines and sunflowers tall, Saturday wrestling, we watched it all! Papa was quiet, Mama Lucy was strong, One kept mowing, one kept us moving along. And if I could go back for a day or two, I’d take Watson Drive and that whole old crew! [Verse 2 — Playful Guitar and Fiddle] Papa had an El Camino, wood down the side, Air conditioning cold, his pride and joy ride. He loved that old car, and I reckon I know why, That cool air felt mighty good in the Georgia summertime. Out in the garden, we’d work that ground, Watermelons growing, sunflowers all around. I’d get stung by a bee, come running back through, Papa had that old-time snuff remedy he knew. He’d wet a little snuff, put it on the sting, Didn’t make a speech or a fuss about a thing. He was quiet as a shadow, steady as could be, That’s the kind of Papa I remember next to me. [Chorus — Full Band, Harmonies] Oh, Mama Lucy and Papa’s John Deere, Those were the days that I hold so dear. Watermelon vines and sunflowers tall, Saturday wrestling, we watched it all! Papa was quiet, Mama Lucy was strong, One kept mowing, one kept us moving along. And if I could go back for a day or two, I’d take Watson Drive and that whole old crew! [Verse 3 — Funny, Conversational Delivery] Now Sunday morning was a different deal, Mama Lucy had a mission and a whole lot of zeal. She’d get us children ready, whether we liked it or not, And Papa wasn’t thrilled with the churchgoing plot! Mama Lucy said, “Come on, we’re going!” There wasn’t much use in saying no. She’d drag us by the ear if that’s what it took, And off to church we’d go! Papa wasn’t much for going to church, He’d rather stay around. But Mama Lucy wasn’t asking for votes, When Sunday came to town! [Instrumental Break — Walking Bass, Fiddle, C Harmonica] [Verse 4 — Nostalgic and Joyful] Now when I turned about fourteen, Papa let me take the wheel. That little John Deere was mine to drive, And you ought to know how good that’d feel. Nikki and Blue could run around, No leashes dragging on the ground. We had room to roam, we had room to play, Didn’t need much else on a summer day. Football games at the bottom of the yard, Fishing all day, playing hard. And when that Saturday wrestling came on, We’d settle in and cheer it on! [Bridge — Gentle, Emotional Acoustic Guitar] You know, love don’t always make a sound, Sometimes it’s just a man mowing ground. A quiet Papa who didn’t say much, But left a memory in every little touch. And Mama Lucy, determined and true, Had her own way of loving you. One wore overalls, one got us dressed, And those old days were some of the best. [Final Chorus — Big, Warm Country Gospel-Swing Feel] Oh, Mama Lucy and Papa’s John Deere, I can close my eyes and still see them here. Watermelons growing, sunflowers tall, That little green tractor, I remember it all. Papa was quiet, Mama Lucy was strong, And life kept rolling like an old country song. Some memories fade, but these shine through, Back on Watson Drive, where my childhood grew! [Spoken Outro — Soft Guitar and Harmonica] You know… Papa didn’t have to say a whole lot. I can still picture him sitting on that little John Deere. And Mama Lucy? [Laughs softly] Well, if it was Sunday morning… You’d better have your church clothes on! I sure do miss those days. All is well. [Gentle C Harmonica Ending]