One cloudless morning was it day or night The sun and the moon were bright Take one away Two holy sisters in the desert dry From the weight the old mule will die Take one away Oh mama I think it's time you knew The day I first came to you I was dead on arrival Now I can hear you pleading on the radio Mama I've joined the church you know And I've been passing out bibles Take one away Three babies conceived she couldn't afford them all The curtain begins to fall Take one away Five o'clock in the morning ... oh just an hour ago She might have been alive you know But they took one away