When Lilly Was Queen

Lilly Pearl, standing by the wood stove Cooking up a pot of fatback and beans Aprons made out of Martha White flour sack Them was the days when Lilly was queen There's gonna be a family reunion Down around Little River Park Lilly got a brand-new baby, they say Jesse Brown had to up and run away It might as well rain 'cause nobody came Jesse left so fast, the baby got no name Lilly Pearl, what'cha gonna name your baby? (baby, baby) Lilly Pearl, what'cha gonna name your child? Lilly Pearl, they say he run away and left you crazy (crazy, crazy) But, ooh, your man had a pretty smile Lilly Pearl told most folks She could raise her baby fine without a man But she cried at the table to her kin folk Her people cried with her, but did they understand? Lilly Pearl, still standing by the wood stove Talking to a pot of fatback and beans 20 years later, still cooking a spread But there's no reunion, 'cause the family's most dead They took her baby at the age of 13 Left her living in the days when Lilly was queen Lilly Pearl, did you ever name your baby? (baby, baby, baby) Lilly Pearl, do you ever miss your child? Lilly Pearl, his daddy run away and left you crazy (crazy, crazy, good) But ooh, your man had a pretty smile (get out of here, and get on up) Lilly Pearl, you're never gonna know your baby (baby, baby, yeah) Lilly Pearl, they never let you see your child Lilly Pearl, his daddy run away and left you crazy, crazy, crazy...