Memorial Day | James McMurtry with BettySoo

Memorial Day - Written by James McMurtry Recorded Live May 23, 2026 Live from Norfolk Street is an on-going concert series recorded live at McGonigel's Mucky Duck in Houston, Texas. Our live-streamed concert series is listener supported. For access to our catalog of full length shows, extras, encores, and interviews, become a contributing member at: https://livefromnorfolkstreet.com/ Lyrics: Mama keeps tryin' to get the game on the radio Daddy's gotta know the score There's a big yellow thing on a flat bed trailer Wonder what that thing's for We got towels rolled up in the back seat window Keeping us out of the sun Just 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 pie Remember 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 fight Happens 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 heroes In 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