SWEETER THAN THE FLOWERS
(Ervin T. Rouse / Lois Mann / Morry Burns / Syd Nathan)


Moon Mullican - 1948
Shorty Long - 1948
Bobby Bare - 1964
Slim Whitman - 1964
Kitty Wells - 1965
Gene Pitney & George Jones - 1965
George Morgan - 1969
Johnny Cash & Waylon Jennings - 1988
James King - 1998

Also recorded by:
The Stanley Brothers; Mac Wiseman; Vernon Oxford; Roy Acuff; 
Dallas Smith & the Boys From Shiloh; Dave Evans & River Bend; 
Charlie Louvin; Hylo Brown & The Timberliners; The Cox Family; 
Rose Lee Maphis; Moore & Napier.



Yes, as far as I can remember
She'll remain the rose of my heart
Mom took sick along in December
February brought us broken hearts

The reason we've not called a family reunion
We knew you wouldn't be there
But since we've thought it all over, Mama
We know that your spirit is there

Oh no, I can't forget the hours
You're the oldest one, Mom, and sweeter than the flowers
Oh no, there's no need to bother
To speak of you now would only hurt Father

(Instrumental Break)

Well it looked so good to see us together
But I had to look after Dad
Oh no, Mama, when I passed by your coffin
I didn't want to remember you dead

They all gathered round, I stared at their faces
All heads were bowed mighty low
But that was one time we all had to face it
Though it hurt us so bad you know

Oh no, I can't forget the hours
You're the oldest one, Mom, and sweeter than the flowers
Oh no, there's no need to bother
To speak of you now would only hurt Father

Oh no, Mama, we'll never forget you
And someday we'll meet you up there






(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - September 2011)