Roses for Mama

Tommy Dell


(Roses for Mama)
(Today's her birthday)

I had a few days leave coming
So I thought I'd ride down to the coast and spend some time with an old friend
Date some girl and
Go to a few parties, and
Do some fishing and just kinda live it up a bit

So I packed my car and phoned my mom
And told her what I planned to do
She said son, are you coming by?
And I said well mom, you know I'd be pressed for time but
I'll phone you in a week or two
I was driving through this little town when
All of a sudden I remembered, todays mama's birthday
Well, I thought I'd just stop and send her some flowers
Shouldn't take too long
Then I'd be on my way

(Roses for Mama)
(Today's her birthday)

So I walked into this flowers shop and the first thing I saw was
A little boy with tears in his eyes
I said, what's wrong son?
He said, mama loves roses and today's her birthday
I haven't seen her in almost a year
'Cause I live with grandma, now
But I promised mama some roses
'Cause I talk to her all the time
I wanted to give her five, 'cause that's how old I am
But the lady said I couldn't buy then with just five cents
Well, that little fella's story kinda touched my heart
So I told the lady to give him what he wanted and charge it to me
Then I told him I wanted to send a dozen roses to my mom up at Chapel Hill

(Roses for Mama)
(Today's her birthday)

I looked around and the little boy was gone
So I started out of town and was feeling real proud of myself for thinking of my mom and really caring
When I looked out the window and I saw that same little boy
Kneeling by a grave in an old cemetery
Well, I stopped my car and walked over to where the little boy was kneeling down
And he smiled at me and said, this is where my mama stays
We'd like to thank you for these pretty roses
And that's when I had to walk way

I drove straight back to that flower shop and asked the lady if she'd sent the flowers to my mom in Chapel Hill
She said, no, not yet
I said, well, never mind, I'll just take them myself

Roses for Mama)
(Today's her birthday)

Roses for Mama
Today's her birthday
Happy birthday, Mama