There is a tree
Flowers in spring
White cherry buds

22 rings
I helped her grow
But have never seen

Carolina winter, or Aberdeen.

From the Mississippi floodgates

My body churned
Up the river delta
My mother yearned

To taste the sweetness of her pain
Falling down
In Carolina rain


And if I stay, I'll stay today
My body will follow in her wake

If I'm to go, I'll go away
To Aberdeen, and there I'll wait


She stayed by the sea
Hardened town
Smell of fish

Watered down
Taste of liquor
On her mouth

And her heart it wandered
Down to the south


And if I stay, I'll stay today
My body will follow in her wake
If I'm to go, I'll go away

To Aberdeen, and there I'll wait

Her body is now

Hard from the years
She's still as strong
Still as fierce

I've taken all she had to give
And given back the will to live


And if I stay, I'll stay today
My body will follow in her wake
If I'm to go, I'll go away

To Aberdeen, and there I'll wait