Your mama wasn't one to mess around with Had a fleet of cars and all those flashy clothes Taught you the discipline of doing what she told Kept her fist around the money tightly closed She had all you kids to think of One more precious than the rest Big brothers running wild, you learned to kick your heels in style Did you have it worst or have it best When you grew like a California Rose The color of your clothes Blooming even as the earth cracked and dried You sang easy and so sweet Dust under your feet Opened your heart as natural as can be ... Mama never suffered any in-laws Ran them all away eventually Had a plan to keep you near and a soldier boy who took her deal Down to city hall a teenage bride to be Next came along the baby carriage Blessed event came unforeseen No child in mamas eyes, circumstance easy to hide Where did you put your loyalty When you cry like a California Rose? Scarlet Crimson Robes Fading even as you reached to the sky You sang heavy and so sweet Your heart it barely beat From the hurting it would carry from now on No one would ever say You'd hesitate to take the blame I'm still wondering today Where is your name in that hall of fame? When you grew like a California Rose The color of your clothes Blooming even as the earth cracked and dried You sang easy and so sweet Dust under your feet Opened your heart just as natural as can be ...