6 kids and 7 horses.
A jukebox up for sale.
A party line and Bible time.
Apples by the pail.
Apples by the pail, sack lunch by the creek.
Time that don't pass easy,
Playin' hide-and-seek.
Chores were up and early,
But you set off on your own —
Waving like an actress on the screen.
Swimming in some California dream.
4 sisters and 2 brothers.
The youngest of them all,
Hair all dark and curly —
The Baby of the ball.
But the baby just gets restless,
Born to spark and shine.
Never lets her guard down,
Always looks behind her.
She don't care much for the bad boys,
Checking round to see which ones will play.
Motor-bikes and high-heels on the scene.
Drive-ins and the busting at the seams.
Darla Mae, the world gets in the way
Of all your childhood plans.
Who's to say we always have to play
The same old losing hand?
I can see your fears.
Bring your whispers here.
We'll bury all our secrets in the sand.
Darla Mae, you're the only one
I think could understand.
This body's like some prison,
It ain't who I'm s'posed to be —
A dress of expectations
And ragged apron strings.
I wish you'd learn to love me —
See underneath this shell,
And call me by a new name.
Make me someone else.
'Cause I was born a little early
For kickin off these blues —
Dreaming of a face that's not like mine,
Wondering if there'll never be a time.
Darla Mae, the world just fades away
Each time I touch your hand.
Who's to say you're ever gonna find
A better-suited man?
I can see your fears.
Bring your whispers here.
We'll bury all our secrets in the sand.
Darla Mae, you're the only one
I think could understand.
We might not make forever,
Or even leave this town alive,
But I got no tomorrow
Without you by my side.
I know you might need someone
For things that I can't do.
You kept me from the dark side,
So I'll learn to make some room.
When no one cares about you,
There ain't much left to lose.
We'll move to San Francisco in the spring.
Nobody has to know my other name.
Darla Mae, the world gets in the way
Of all your childhood plans.
Who's to say we always have to play it
Lying where it lands?
I can see your fears.
Wipe away your tears.
We'll leave our secrets buried in the sand.
Darla Mae, you're the only soul
I think could understand.