When You're 21 Composer(s): Carl Perkins Performer(s): Carl Perkins
Now, y'was just a young fellah, Son The night your poor Mama died And you don't remember it now Why, we was both right there by Mama's side Ya see, your Ma had this sickness, Boy From all the hard work she'd done And she prayed all of her life That God would let her raise her baby to be twenty-one Aw, me and you never moved into town, Boy We just kept on livin' out here And life's been pretty bad For the past twenty-one years
Aw, I remember now when you was a little fellah And I used to take my boy to church And I seen you in the choir with them other young'uns And it gave this heart a jerk Ah, you sounded like a little bitty angel, Boy And to Papa you sure did look sweet Even though your little ragged britches They came half-way to your skinny little knees
After the service was all over Aw, it always filled your Papa's heart with joy The good Preacher'd step down And he'd pat your little head and then he'd say "Carlin, you've got yourself a fine little boy"
Then me and you'd get in the wagon, Child And you'd look over towards me And you know, you just smiled an' Why, I'd hand you the lines, And I'd let you drive for a little while Oh I guess life has been tough For me, and for you too Son And I know tonight that I've prayed all of my life That I could raise my baby to be twenty-one
So tonight, Son Livin' the life down here is about over And my work's on earth about done Maybe now I'll get to go see the Lord and to live with your Mama Aw, thank you Lord 'Cause tonight my baby is twenty-one
Precious, sacred scenes untold
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