Pretty Ella Arkansas
Birthed 9 daughters and a son
She was a sure shot with a pistol

And here bare feet loved to run
There was raven hair and brown skin
Green eyes and a crooked smile

There were freckles on her shoulders
From sun-kissed country miles


Well her Papa died in prison
The day she turned 16
Set Ella free from a life of sin

When he got that old TB

Ella'd never known her Mama

'cept for that picture on the wall
Oh but she blessed her in her prayers each night
Knowin' someday she would call


Pretty Ella Arkansas
Dangdest thing I ever saw

Racing with a northbound freight
Choose your car and jump inside
Keep the faith and hold on tight

Everything's gonna be alright
For pretty Ella Arkansas
Just keep following the light


Was in the heat of that same summer
When she met her children's Pa

At a downtown dance in Hot Springs
Sweat and rhythm filled the hall
When Miller Jacobs saw our girl

He had to blink and rub his eyes
Thought the whiskey must be playin' tricks
Or there was an angel in disguise


Pretty Ella Arkansas
Dangdest thing I ever saw

Racing with a northbound freight
Choose your car and jump inside
Keep the faith and hold on tight

Everything's gonna be alright
For pretty Ella Arkansas
Just keep following the light


It happened so fast
Winter blew past

The bride she was dressed in all white

Pretty Ella Arkansas

Birthed 9 daughters and a son
Became the Mother she'd always wished she'd had
Lived ripe and full to 91

Old Miller Jacobs loved that girl
And when they laid herin the ground
Everybody knew he'd be following soon

As the rain came pourin'down

Pretty Ella Arkansas

Dangdest thing I ever saw
Racing with a northbound freight
Choose your car and jump inside

Keep the faith and hold on tight
Everything's gonna be alright
For pretty Ella Arkansas

Just keep following the light