Mama's Hungry Eyes

Merle Haggard · 24 Greatest Hits [1995]

A canvas covered cabin in a crowded labor camp

Stands out in this memory I revile

My daddy raised a family there with two hard working hand

And tried to feed my mamas hungry eyes.



He dreamed of something better and my mama's faith was stong

Us kids were just to young to realize

That another class of people put us somewhere just below

One more reason for my mama's hungry eyes.



Mama, never had the luxury she wanted

But it wasn't 'cause my daddy didn't try

She only wanted things she really needed

One more reason for my mama's hungry eyes.



I remember mama praying for a better way of life

But I don't recall a change of any size

Just a little loss of courage as their age began to show

And more sadness in my mama's hungry eyes.



Mama never had the luxury she wanted

But it wasn't 'cause my daddy didn't try

She only wanted things she really needed

One more reason for my mama's hungry eyes.



Oh, I still recall my mama's hungry eyes...