WINGS

WINGS

I had just tuned up my old guitar
To play one Saturday night
We were at the Opry
And all the lights were bright;
We were going on stage soon
I almost missed my cue
When I heard a small voice ask
"Could I have a word with you?"

I looked down into her face
And saw a brown-eyed lass
She couldn't be more than 8 years old
Or maybe 10, I guess;
She wore a pair of overalls
And had her hair in braids
I never will forget that night
As she spoke to me and said:

"Do you know an older song
About some slippery things?
My mama used to sing to me
Before she got her wings";
I saw a broken-hearted girl
With teardrops on her face
I said 'Sure we do, sweetheart
Now you go take your place."

She sat down front on the floor
And as we took the stage
I told the other fellas
To turn to that song page;
I sang to her and only her
For her Mama who had died
"SHE'S WEARIN' SLIPPERS WITH WINGS"
And the little girl just cried.

I thought of my sweet Mama then
And could not wait to call
We took a break and I left
For the pay phone down the hall;
Her answering machine picked up
So my message I did sing
But when I looked for that little lass
There was just a pair of wings.