I pity the mother and the father When the children are gone Their life work complete Still they must carry on So many families separated today And I pity the mother and the father When the kids move away They wanted so bad For you to have it good Didn't give you everything But they did the best they could And they know that you must move away With a family of your own Still I pity the mother and the father When the children are gone No welfare check Or government plan Can ease the pain In the heart of a lonely man Or a lonely woman Who gave her all that you might live today Yes, I pity the mother and the father When the kids move away In the olden days A family never strayed far from home One or two might move away But the rest would carry on But we're scattered to the winds In this old world today And I pity the mother and the father When the kids move away No miracle drug in a nursing home Can say, I love you mama and daddy When you're all alone To a man or woman who gave their all That you' might live today Yes, I pity the mother and the father When the kids move away Lord, I pity the mother and the father When the kids move away