Oh, Tenn-e-ssee,
Tenn-e-ssee, Gamey
It’s you I see,
Tenn-e-ssee Gamey!
Whenever I look at my life
Weathered woman of oak I see.
Woman loved me no matter the strife
My Gamey hails from the hills of Tenn-e-ssee.
Snatched after being tossed at Gamey’s door
Said I was special kin.
Stayed cool with my tantrums on the floor;
Steered me away from cussin’; teenage sin.
Say Oma, Bomma,
Ouma, Amma
Nainal, Meme,
Abuela, Bibi.
Oh, Tenn-e-ssee,
Tenn-e-ssee, Gamey
It’s you I see,
Tenn-e-ssee Gamey
Gameys are gifts — special mamas;
Bubbes, Kuku created for both you and me.
Nana, Nonna, other answer Mhamos’,
Lola, Babushka and ole’ Mamie.
My Gamey hails from the hills of Tenn-e-ssee.
GG-Mom taught Gamey not to fib
Gamey passed this onto me.
Showed me the Golden Rule; women’s lib
Thanks, God, for Tenn-e-ssee Gamey.
For you who hear this ditty
No matter if you’re country or city
Treasure your Mawmaws, MeMe,
Ammas, Abuelas and loving Grannies
Oh, Tenn-e-ssee,
Tenn-e-ssee, Gamey
It’s you I see,
Tenn-e-ssee Gamey
Gameys are gifts — special mamas;
Bubbes, Kuku created for both you and me.
Nana, Nonna, other answer Mhamos’,
Lola, Babushka and ole’ Mamie.
My Gamey hails from the hills of Tenn-e-ssee
Tasker lives in Levittown, Pennsylvania, and has been a teacher for 30 years. He currently works with at-risk girls in New Jersey.
