Delta Dawn
Tanya Tucker Lyrics

Delta Dawn, what's that flower you have on?
Asking the title character about the flower she's wearing.

Could it be a faded rose from days gone by?
Wondering if the flower is an old, wilted rose from the past.

And did I hear you say he was a-meeting you here today
Confirming that Delta Dawn mentioned a man meeting her today.

To take you to his mansion in the sky?
Asking if the man is taking Delta Dawn to heaven.

She's forty-one and her daddy still calls her "baby"
Sharing information that Delta Dawn is 41 and her father still treats her like a child.

All the folks around Brownsville say she's crazy
Noting that people in Delta Dawn's town think she's insane.

'Cause she walks downtown with a suitcase in her hand
Explaining that Delta Dawn walks around town carrying a suitcase.

Looking for a mysterious dark-haired man
Sharing Delta Dawn's motive for carrying the suitcase - to find a man with specific physical characteristics.

In her younger days they called her Delta Dawn
Recalling that Delta Dawn was once a young, beautiful woman.

Prettiest woman you ever laid eyes on
Describing Delta Dawn's level of attractiveness in her youth.

Then a man of low degree stood by her side
Explaining that a man with lower social status became Delta Dawn's partner.

Promised her he'd take her for his bride
Noting that the man promised to marry Delta Dawn.

Delta Dawn, what's that flower you have on?
Repeating the opening line, still curious about the flower.

Could it be a faded rose from days gone by?
Repeating an earlier question about the origin of the flower.

And did I hear you say he was a-meeting you here today
Asking the same question as before, perhaps for clarification.

To take you to his mansion in the sky?
Repeating the speculation that the man Delta Dawn is meeting is taking her to heaven.

Delta Dawn, what's that flower you have on?
Another attempt to understand the significance of the flower.

Could it be a faded rose from days gone by?
Repeating the theory that the flower is an old rose.

And did I hear you say he was a-meeting you here today
Repeating the question from earlier, still seeking clarity.

To take you to his mansion in the sky?
Repeating the earlier speculation about Delta Dawn's destination.

Delta Dawn, what's that flower you have on?
Yet another attempt to understand the flower's meaning.

Could it be a faded rose from days gone by?
Repeating the theory that the flower is an old rose.

And did I hear you say he was a-meeting you here today
Asking the same question again for clarity.

To take you to his mansion in the sky?
Repeating the theory about where Delta Dawn is going.