Mary And Omie

My daddy was a longshoreman in New Orleans

My mamma kept score just watchin' the Mardi Gras

Oh, me, I sat on the front porch watchin' the rails roll out

I was waitin' for my Omie to take me outta this south

It was me and my sisters, like to wore that front porch out

And there can't be more to this livin' than loving my Omie

We're both sittin' back here watchin' our children grow

If there's a better ace in the deck

Well, baby, come on and show me

If you ain't got a hand then get on your wheel and roll

'Cause there could never be a better hand than these hearts I hold

Me and my Omie, we settled down here in Houston

Oh, and one by one, we moved my sisters west

We bought a house in the suburbs and we've got four fine children

We are black middle class because Omie wouldn't settle for less

We are black middle class because Omie wouldn't settle for less

And there can't be more to this livin' than loving my Omie

We're both sittin' back here watchin' our children grow

If there's a better ace in the deck

Well, baby, come on and show me

If you ain't got a hand then get on your wheel and roll

'Cause there could never be a better hand than these hearts I hold

My children are the first thing in my mornin'

My Omie is the last thing in my night

Oh, in between I dream about that porch back home

And I bless my daddy for the love within that house

But, I thank my Omie for takin' me outta the south

Look at these hearts I hold, oh, look at these hearts I hold

Look at these hearts I hold, there ain't no place like home

Look at these hearts we hold, look at those hearts you hold

Hey! My Omie's got a heart of gold, look at these hearts we hold

Take a look at those hearts you hold!