Lyrics
They had their children in the early eighties
Describes the birth of the couple's children in the early 1980s.
First one was a girl that they named Katie
Introduces the first child, a girl named Katie, highlighting her adorable qualities.
With the cutest smile and bluest eyes known to man
Emphasizes Katie's cute smile and blue eyes.
Two years passed before she got her brother Sam
Two years later, Katie's brother Sam is born.
Sweet Savannah was number three she was later named Emily
Introduces the third child, Sweet Savannah, later named Emily, saved by a couple from a storm.
By a couple who came and saved her from the storm
Describes the circumstances of Emily's adoption.
Though she wasn’t planned at least they let her be born
Although Emily wasn't planned, the couple chose to let her be born.
Call it a great travesty or a southern greek tragedy it’s alright
Reflects on the situation, labeling it either a travesty or a southern Greek tragedy, but expressing acceptance.
How could they know better to them it was a normal life
Acknowledges the couple's lack of knowledge, considering their life normal despite challenges.
Katie went away when she was nine
Tells that Katie left at the age of nine, leaving behind her brother and adoptive parents.
Left her brother and mother and new daddy behind
Describes the family situation after Katie's departure.
She had to decide whether her Sam would go
Katie faced the decision of whether Sam should live with their biological father.
To live with their real dad he wanted to watch one grow
Explains the biological father's desire to watch one of his children grow.
Year after year and home after home
Highlights Sam's experience of moving from home to home over the years.
Sam was growing fast and growing alone
Expresses Sam's rapid growth and the loneliness he felt.
He was the friend everyone had that moved away
Portrays Sam as the friend who moved away, making it challenging for him to fit in.
It gets so hard to try and fit in every day
Conveys the difficulty of fitting in every day.
Call it a great travesty or a southern greek tragedy it’s alright
Reiterates the acceptance of the situation, either as a travesty or a southern Greek tragedy.
How could they know better to them it was a normal life
Repeats the theme of the couple's lack of knowledge about a "normal" life.
So from both the Carolinas down to Southern Georgia
Describes the family's relocation from the Carolinas to Southern Georgia.
Sammy’s family nearly touched the coast of Florida
Indicates the family's proximity to the coast of Florida.
They traded the sea for Virginia’s hillside
Mentions the trade-off of the sea for Virginia's hillside in their move.
But your problems always find you no matter where you hide
Suggests that problems persist regardless of where one tries to escape.
Now late in the evening around sundown
Refers to late evenings and memories of children riding around.
I remember those children riding around
Recalls the nostalgic image of children riding a Radio Flyer.
On a Radio Flyer they never did wear out
Highlights the durability of the Radio Flyer, symbolizing enduring memories.
It’s still waiting for them back at a big yellow house
Mentions the presence of the Radio Flyer at a big yellow house, waiting for the children.
Call it a great travesty or a southern greek tragedy it’s alright
Reiterates the acceptance of the situation, either as a travesty or a southern Greek tragedy.
How could they know better to them it was a normal life
Repeats the theme of the couple's lack of knowledge about a "normal" life.
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