Lyrics

By Bryant Switzky

She was raised on fire and brimstone
Where black and white don’t stray
Now the shades of gray surround her
And she just can’t look away

She was standing on the edge of something
Afraid to make her choice
The winds of hope were howling
When she heard her mama’s voice

Don’t go dipping your toe in the darkness
You gotta keep out of the shade
If you wade into the shadows
They will carry you away

Mama had faith in the fear of God
And the hardy winter wheat
She said don't go getting no big ideas
About who you wanna be

Just find yourself a good man
Get a little butter on your bread
Don’t listen to the devil
That’s what her mama said

Don’t go dipping your toe in the darkness
You gotta keep out of the shade
If you wade into the shadows
They will carry you away

Living in the city in a campus dorm
Where the lines of love are blurred
Something woke up inside her
It was singing like a bird

She took a pretty girl by the hand
And kissed her in the yard
She found the truth, and she knew
It would break her mama’s heart
It would break her mama’s heart

She went home and said, mama
God made me this way
I’m still your girl who’s good and true
Don’t throw me away

Mama took a long look to the sky
And said, I always knew
I’ll be here when you need me child
I won’t stop loving you
No I won’t stop loving you
I can’t stop loving you

She went dipping her toe in the darkness
Bringing sunshine to the shade
Lighting up the shadows
And chasing shame away
Chasing shame away
She’s chasing shame away