Sweet Mary Louretta Poem by Pleasant Dabbs

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

Sweet Mary Louretta was just 9 years old
When her beauty first caused me unrest
Cause I was 18 but I knew deep inside
That she'd leave her nest to become my sweet bride

Sweet Mary Louretta you're too young today
But dimples and dolls all too soon fade away
For 10 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 18

We had 6 kids a coming and 5 kids at last
But 2 died ahead of their time (that makes 9)
The others grew up, got married, and were never outclassed
In my humble opinion they turned out real fine

Sweet Mary Louretta beside me you'll lay
I had to leave early and you had to stay
For 10 years you waited and lived all alone
I'm so glad he let me come take you back 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 they 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 Louretta beside me you'll lay
I had to leave early and you had to stay
For 10 years you waited and lived all alone
I'm so glad He let me come take you back 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 starting a new life and won't we have fun

Sweet Mary Louretta is smiling 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 calling long distance, get ready to go


c aaron