Ma Tellin’ Me
In a past life I was even more tragic
With the insecurity of a southern belle
My hair upon my head like magic
Ma tellin’ me I’ve got to be for sell
Pa was dead so I had to take the bed
There was no arguing with Ma the saint
She swore she was close to being dead
My heart was rushing and I felt faint
As he helped me up on his carriage
He was promising marriage
I knew there was no other way
There was no love coming to stay
I wouldn’t ever be able to stray
I’d be his wife who takes it all
I’d hide my bruises and that horrible lashin’
Pretend that at our home it was a ball
Say my broken finger was from the door smashin’
Ma tellin’ me it was worth the pain
She’d say a woman’s place is at her husband’s side
To keep up my looks even when in the rain
That it was unladylike trying to steal a horse and hide
Ma tellin’ me stopped the day I died
I looked down and she never even cried
