Gone From Love Too Long - Amanda Wilkinson

Baby sister set out for the bright lights of California
Said she was gonna be a star
No word from someone in six long months can sure get on ya
It was breakin' mama's heart

I drove that thousand miles like a bat outta hell
Searched every corner, every low end motel
'Til I found her there with greasy hair and a strangers eyes
And she cried, and I held her tight and said

You've been gone from love too long
There's nothing to be ashamed of, no way your could've known
Life was gonna knock you down and strip you to the bone
And leave you all alone
Girl, you've been gone from love too long

As the lights of L.A. faded in our rearview mirror
She said, "Sis, I'm scared to death
I left home innocent, and I'm goin' back a sinner
I've seen and done things I'd just as soon forget."

She pulled out her last cigarette and crumpled up the pack
And said, "What I wouldn't give to have just part of myself back."
Then I took her hand, said, "I understand." As she broke done
She said, "Tell me how do I face Mama now?"
I said, 

You've been gone from love too long
There's nothing to be ashamed of, no way your could've known
Life was gonna knock you down and strip you to the bone
And leave you all alone
Girl, you've been gone from love too long

Mama met us half way down the driveway
Held out her arms to her baby, and all she had to say is

You've been gone from love too long
There's nothing to be ashamed of, no way your could've known
Life was gonna knock you down and strip you to the bone
And leave you all alone
Girl, you've been gone from love too long
From love too long