I was born and raised in the flatlands that lay
'Tween the Choctaw and the Cherokee tribes
But my life just got started when I met one day
A young girl so purty, it's hard to describe

Sweet Mary Loretta was just nine years old
When her beauty first caused me unrest
Cause I was eighteen but I knew deep inside
That she'd leave her nest to become my sweet bride

Sweet Mary Loretta, you're too young today
But dimples and dolls all too soon fade away
For ten years I'll wait and then when you are grown
I'm hopin' you'll let me come take you on home

Well, pits turn to peaches and fawns become deer
And Mary grew into a queen
She went for the guys who were tall and sincere
And so we got married when she turned eighteen

We had six kids acomin' and five kids at last
But two died ahead of their time (that makes nine)
The others grew up, got married, and were never outclassed
In my humble opinion they turned out real fine

Sweet Mary Loretta, beside me you'll lay
I had to leave early and you had to stay
For ten years you waited and lived all alone
I'm so glad he let me come take you on home

Well, legends get started and stories get told
Oh, I wish you could hear me tell some
Like the priest I outsmarted, our Mercedes of gold,
And the Sonoma Mansion at 941

Well, the sold off the mansion when I passed away
There were too many fond memories
But the children all loved you and asked you to stay
'Til I was allowed to come take you away

Sweet Mary Loretta, beside me you'll lay
I had to leave early and you had to stay
For ten years you waited and lived all alone
I'm so glad he let me come take you on home

A smile of silver, a heart made of gold
A sweet disposition for one
You kids will all miss her but let go of the old
Cause we're startin' a new life, and won't we have fun

Sweet Mary Loretta is smilin' today
We had to leave early, you kids had to stay
Don't get tired of waitin', stay close to the phone
We'll soon call long distance and invite you all home
Don't get tired of waitin', stay close to the phone
We're callin' long distance - get ready to go