Letter To Mom - Iris DeMent

I wrote my mother yesterday 'cause I had some things that I had to say

And I know that when she reads them she’s gonna cry

But in the end I hope she sees

That I’m just trying to break free

'Cause I’ve been walking 'round with secrets now, too long

Back when I was barely ten Mom brought home a new boyfriend

And I know that times were bad and he made her feel good

But one night he climbed into my bed

And he left me wishing I was dead

And I’ve been walking 'round with secrets now, too long

You say I’m digging up the past and it’s not wise to go back

But for me it’s just as close as yesterday

And I’m not the kind for breaking rules

And I’m not wanting to be cruel

I’ve just been walking 'round with secrets now, too long

All my life I’ve felt ashamed, 'cause I thought I was the one to blame

And I vowed to God that no one else would ever know

How he crushed my childish pride

And left me tears that never dried

And I’ve been walking 'round with secrets now, too long

You say I’m digging up the past and it’s not wise to go back

But for me it’s just as close as yesterday

And I’m not the kind for breaking rules

And I’m not wanting to be cruel

I’ve just been walking 'round with secrets now, too long

And I’ve just been walking 'round with secrets now, too long