He'd always whistle, jolly boy
On his way out the back door
So many times he'd just stay gone
Shot off the tractor, but feel half mowed
Set the brake, hit her down the road
never said where he'd been
No presents for the children,
Still your mama called him daddy
Said she couldn't help but love him
He wondered how it could be so
Worked two weeks out on the river bars
She worked in the factory,
He spent his week off holding off the bar
to drink a deckhand's pay
cut the lines on his face
Left him dreaming of some
Maybe Memphis town on Baton Rouge
When it's cold in Cape Dorado,
Still your mama called and daddy,
You said you couldn't help but love him
You wondered how it could be so
If his suitcase wasn't standing in the hall
He might not be coming home at all
You'd drifting down the river
through another back door
Still your mama called him daddy
Said she couldn't help but love him
Wondered how it could be so
