Vintage Mike Raven : Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp by O C Smith

The Son Of Hickory Holler's Tramp was written by Dallas Frazier. More successful in the UK than elsewhere, it was banned on some radio stations in the USA partially due to its lyrical contents. It reached #2 in the UK charts in 1968. This song, as well as all of O.C.'s recordings during the next two years, was cut at the Columbia Studio A in Los Angeles. http://www.soulexpress.net/ocsmith_story.htm THE SON OF HICKORY HOLLER'S TRAMP Album : O.C. Smith's Greatest Hits O.C. Smith Oh, the path was deep and wide From footsteps leading to our cabin Above the door there burned a scarlet lamp And late at night a hand would knock And there would stand a stranger Yes, I'm the son of Hickory Holler's tramp Yeah, the weeds were high, the corn was dry When daddy took to drinking Him and Sally Walker, they up and ran away Then Momma shed a silent tear And promised fourteen children "I swear you'll never see a hungry day" When Momma sacrificed her pride The neighbours started talking But we were much too young To understand the things they said All we really cared about Was Momma's chicken dumplings And a goodnight kiss Before we went to bed Oh, you know, the path was deep and wide From footsteps leading to our cabin Above the door there burned a scarlet lamp And late at night a hand would knock And there would stand a stranger Yes, I'm the son of Hickory Holler's tramp When Daddy left and destitution Came upon our family Not one neighbour volunteered To lend a helping hand So just let 'em gossip all they want She loved us, and she raised us The proof is standing here A full grown man Last summer Momma passed away And left the ones who loved her Each and every one is More than grateful for their birth And each Sunday she receives A big bouquet of fourteen roses With a card that reads 'The Greatest Mom on Earth' Oh, you know, the path was deep and wide From footsteps leading to our cabin Above the door there burned a scarlet lamp And late at night a hand would knock And there would stand a stranger Yes, I'm the son of Hickory Holler's tramp

Added 2 Aug 2026