art by jeffrey donato

Satin Skirt & Dancin' Shoes

They built this club back when I was three
Momma sang for dollars and Papa drank for free
While I’d hide in the kitchen eatin’ rich folk’s hor d’ouerves
And listenin’ to them talk about Mommas’ sweet young curves

Chorus:
Momma was a lady, never did nothin’ wrong
Lord, could she help it if her legs were too long
She sang hymns Sunday mornings but at night she’d sing the blues
In her satin skirt and dancin’ shoes

There’s a photo of Momma hanging over the bar
Papa said one day he would make her a star
But time goes by, dreams and pictures fade
Drink became Papa’s only crusade

Chorus:
Broken hearts and cigarette smoke
I spent my time growing up broke’
I’d wear Papa’s shirt, still smellin’ of the booze’
And Momma’s satin skirt and dancin’ shoes

Papa drank himself six feet under dirt
Momma got tired of her satin skirt
She left it to me with her shoes and a note
“Life is tough,” was all that she wrote

Chorus:
I’ll never know how I made it this far
I didn’t learn much in that lonely old bar
But I learned how to flirt and to sing the blues’
In Momma’s satin skirt and dancin’ shoes

Chorus:
Momma was a lady, never did nothin’ wrong
But her hair was too wavy and her legs were too long’
She’d look like an angel with nothing left to lose
In her satin skirt and dancin’ shoes
She’d praise God Sunday morning, but at night she’d sing the blues’
In a satin skirt and dancin’ shoes

music & lyrics: Mary James

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