Take Care Of The Baby

Lyrics

[Verse 1] Take care of the baby I’ll see you in a year, maybe Hell, if I even make it home at all She said, “I love you,” while she’s cryin’ “Don’t you go a-dyin’ And leave me here to raise this boy alone,” she called How the tears welled in his eyes As they said their last goodbyes Then he held her like he’d never let her go But that bus was idling by Under that pale red morning sky He kissed her cheek and whispered, “I gotta go…” [Chorus] Now the days are long and hard and tough Never seems to be enough Sleepin’ time, or time to make a call Every night in some broke-down town He writes their names and then lays down Prayin’ he’ll come walkin’ through that door next fall Take care of the baby, darlin’ If I can, I’ll make it home at all [Verse 2] There’s a picture in his pocket Of a crib and crooked locket And her hair all tangled from the afternoon He can hear that screen door slammin’ Sunday dinner, people laughin’ While he’s watchin’ shadows cross a motel moon He counts the miles on wrinkled maps Coffee shakes and gravel traps Dusty boots kicked up against the wall Every pay he sends a share With a shaky “say our prayers” Then he stares at that old motel phone and stalls [Chorus] Now the days are long and hard and tough Never seems to be enough Sleepin’ time, or time to make a call Every night in some broke-down town He writes their names and then lays down Prayin’ he’ll come walkin’ through that door next fall Take care of the baby, darlin’ If I can, I’ll make it home at all