Page type: lyric reference
Artist: James McMurtry
Canonical path: /james-mcmurtry/memorial-day
Related lyric paths: 6
Lyric guide
Memorial Day
Read Memorial Day lyrics by James McMurtry on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
Lyrics
Memorial Day
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
Mama keeps tryin' to get the game on the radioDaddy's gotta know the score
There's a big yellow thing on a flat bed trailer
Wonder what that thing's forWe got towels rolled up in the back seat window
Keeping us out of the sunJust a hundred more miles and we'll be at grandma's
Sure is gonna be fun
Maybe she'll take us fishin'
Maybe she'll bake us a pieRemember like she did that one time
Back before grandpa died
It's Memorial Day in America
Everybody's on the road
Let's remember our fallen heroes
Y'all be sure and drive slow
Ninety eight degrees in the shade of the tool shed
Can't go back in the house
They're all in the kitchen yellin' 'bout something
Don't know what it's about
Joey 'n Mary said not to worry
Said it's just the same old figh
tHappens whenever they all get together
Everything's really alright
It's Memorial Day in America
This is how it's supposed to be
Let's remember our fallen heroesIn the land of the free
Daddy's in the big chair sippin' on a cold beer
Grandma's cuttin' a switch
She overheard Mary cussin' her brother
Called him a son of a bitch
She got a good green limb off a sweet gum sapling
Man that's bound to sting
But Mary don't cry just stands there and takes it
Doesn't seem to feel a thing
No Mary don't cry, you know she's a big girl
Wonder what made her so mad
She takes those licks looking in through the den door
Staring right straight at her dad
There's a big yellow thing on a flat bed trailer
Daddy nearly hit that bird
They're both in the front seat
Starin' right straight ahead
Neither one saying a word
The sun's going down in the rear view mirror
Gonna be driving all night
Wonder if the neighbor's fed the canary
Wonder if the cat's alright
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "Memorial Day"?
James McMurtry performs "Memorial Day", and this lyric page sits inside the James McMurtry catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "Memorial Day"?
Yes. The related section below points to Childish Things and No More Buffalo with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by James McMurtry?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through James McMurtry's lyric pages.
Song Room
Open Song Room
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
Listener comments
What people are saying
No listener comments on Memorial Day yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.