Twenty three when I took up a lover
She was beautiful, her hair was shining gold
Didn't care that she looked just like me
When I was scared, oh she could be so bold
Think of all the things that I was told
All the times she'd kiss me on the cheek
Saying "Nancy, you're the smartest girl I know
But all you do is sit all day and sew"

Momma told me I was just a sinner
Said it was like Jesus had foretold
Don't know why this is my cross to bear
Don't know why this is my weight to hold
All around me people seem to scold
But heaven's here when she looks right at me
Saying "Nancy, you're the smartest girl I know
But all you do is sit all day and sew"

Walking through the room as she got sicker
Feeling like I'm already alone
Soon enough she couldn't lift her own head
And lying next to her, she felt so cold
Thought I'd see the two of us grow old
She'd tease me like she did when we were young
Saying "Nancy, you're the smartest girl I know
But all you do is sit all day and sew"

Didn't even get to send her off right
All the poor excuses I was sold
From a government who doesn't hear me
Now I'm stitching up a quilt too big to fold
Think of all the things that I was told
All the times she'd kiss me on the cheek
Saying "Nancy, you're the smartest girl I know
But all you do is sit all day and sew"

Now I'm stitching up a quilt too big to fold