Description
#BrandonHixson #WacoTexasTornado1953 #MayEleventh
www.brandonhixson.com
[Verse 1]
Mama tied her apron on, brushed my hair aside
Kissed my cheek and smiled at me before she stepped outside
I'll meet you when the picture's done, she turned and walked away
I carried those simple words through everything that day
Rain kept tapping on the marquee while the picture show began
Popcorn, candy, Monday, just like every little plan
I was only six years old with nothing much to fear
Then everything we'd known before suddenly disappeared
(Verse 2)
The picture started trembling more than I could understand
The ceiling peeled above our heads like someone opening a can
Daylight poured where darkness was, the wind began to roar
Then strangers grabbed my little hands and led me through the door
(Pre Chorus)
Bricks and shattered storefronts where the sidewalks used to be
The town I knew that morning wasn't there anymore
(Chorus)
Oh Mama, where are you? I know you're looking too
Everybody's lying still, why won’t they get up too
I'm coming, Mama, wait for me
(Verse 3)
I ran where all the mothers ran, calling through the rain
Searching every frightened face and calling out your name
Every little hand I saw made my heart believe
Then broke again a moment later when it wasn't you I'd see
The streets had lost their names somehow beneath the dust and stone
I prayed the God who numbered stars would bring my baby home
The whole world had forgotten where it used to be
Except the little voice inside that kept on calling me
(Pre Chorus 2)
Somewhere through the wind and rain I thought I heard you cry
I’d search the world forever if it meant I’d find your life
(Chorus 2)
Oh baby, where are you? I know you're looking too
Every child I see ain’t you, Lord, what am I gonna do?
I'm coming, baby, wait for me
(Verse 4)
And through the rain I heard my name above the cries and fear
A voice I'd known my whole short life somehow was suddenly near
I turned and saw your apron stained with dust instead of white
You wrapped me in your trembling arms and held on with your life
You didn't ask where I had been, I didn't ask you why
We just thanked God for one more day beneath that broken sky
The town would never be the same from everything we'd seen
But home was always in your arms, where home had always been
(last refrain)
Mama's been gone for many years, but every spring I know
When thunder rolls across the fields, I hear that story told
Others speak of twisting winds and all they carried away
My Mama never told me 'bout a tornado
She told me how she found her mama on May eleventh