Wakeup darlin and light the fire
The Redbird singin on the telephone wire
All the family's on the way
It's time to get ready for the Gatherin Day
Biscuits buttered and coffee strong,
the Redbird singing his birdy-bird song
Redbird
Redbird sing
Redbird singing, come the Gatherin Day
Rosie is making cornbread
Sophie is making pie
Uncle Jim is telling stories
Uncle John is telling lies
Addie is choppin onions
Acie is choppin logs
Aunt Ruthie feeds the baby
Aunt Susie feeds the dogs
Grandad is crackin walnuts
Grandma is crackin eggs
Aunt Flo is making poundcake
Aunt Josie's making beds
Sam wants to hold a puppy
Cyrus wants a pony ride
Sydney is turning cartwheels
Someone get the kids outside!
Mama's in the kitchen, flour in her hair
Workin as she's wishin, cookin as a prayer
Papa's at the window, worry in his mind
Listenin to the wind blow, lookin to the sky
Who's that comin down the lane?
The Redbird's singin at the windowpane
Distant kin from Tennessee, everyone's welcoming the family
Who's that knocking at the door?
The Redbird's singing and there's room for more
Comin in from miles away, we'll all be together on the Gatherin Day
Martha, she's always early
Michael, he's always late
Riley always brings a banjo
Robin always brings a date
Becky, she skips the ice
Bobby makes the drinks too strong
Aunt Genny kisses twice
Uncle Jackie hugs too long
Papa's at the front door, pocket-watch and time
(Papa, what's the worry? Who's that you're lookin for?)
There to greet his lost girl, can't believe his eyes
(Papa, what's the hurry? Who's that at the door?)
Mama's in the kitchen, apron strings and pearls
(Mama, why you cryin? Who's that you're reachin for?)
All the jubilation, to see her wandering girl
(Mama, why you cryin? Mama it's your wander girl)
Aunt Mae she lights the candles
Amelia lays the table legs
Mary Ellen sets the silver
Molly sets an extra place
Aunt Karen fixes dressing
Cathy folds the napkins wrong
Grandaddy says a blessing
Grandma always prays too long
Daddy's at the table, daughters at his side
(Papa, pass the gravy. Papa, pass the peas)
Fishing tales and fables, a sparkle in his eye
(Papa, hold the baby. Papa, hold the peas)
Mama's in the kitchen, music in the air
(Papa, why you dancin? Mama, where's the pie?)
Dancin with the dishes, allemande square
(Papa, why you dancin? Mama can I have some pie?!?)
Slice the pie and pour the wine
The Redbird singin on the snowy pine
Grab a hand and clear the way
Everybody's dancin on the Gatherin Day
Will tries to crack a window
Bill tries to crack a joke
Mark tries to sneak a whiskey
Mac tries to sneak a smoke
Cousins piled up like kittens, balanced - piled on the floor
Papa turns up the music, Mama shuts the kitchen door
Papa's on the back porch, lightnin in a jar
(Papa, whacha drinkin? What's in the tractor shed?)
Singin to the Redbird and wishin on the star
(Papa, whatcha thinkin? Papa, it's time for bed)
Mama's in the kitchen, sassafras and sweets
(Mama, I'm not tired. I don't want to go to sleep)
Singin to the Redbird, sing the kids to sleep
(Mama, I'm not tired. Someone get the kids to sleep)