Gettin On That Bus
[Verse 1]
Emma was born on the side of the tracks
Where kids learn fast to watch their backs and not trust a soul
Her friends didn't know each day she got home
She'd smell a different man's cologne from down the hall
And it was never explained or much talked about
How Emma's mom put food in their mouths
Just went on
And on and on

[Chorus]
Well, you can't choose your folks, you can't choose your name
It's part of the deal, got no one to blame
That's life
Well, you get a choice of which way to turn
Repeat the mistakes, or finally learn to get by
Emma promised herself at the age of nine
Each time the Greyhound would roll on by
"Gonna make sure I'll be okay
'Cause I'm gettin' on that bus one day"
[Verse 2]
She came home early one afternoon
Her mom had a blackened silver spoon in her tremblin' hands
She yelled at her baby girl to leave
Mama needed some time to herself, so please, would she understand?
Emma sat on the steps with no place to go
Wishin' time didn't have to pass so slow
So slow
Oh, so slow

[Chorus]
Well, you can't choose your folks, you can't choose your name
It's part of the deal, got no one to blame
That's life
Well, you get a choice of which way to turn
Repeat the mistakes, or finally learn to get by
Emma thought as that Greyhound
Made its way right through town
"Gonna make sure I'll be okay
'Cause I'm gettin' on that bus one day"

[Verse 3]
And then the day finally came around
She got to wear that cap and gown and cross that stage
No one was there to beam with pride
Or watchin' her laugh and cry and turn that page
With a dorm room waitin' down at Kansas State
And a scholarship, all expenses paid
She had it made
Yeah, she had it made
[Chorus]
Well, you can't choose your folks, you can't choose your name
It's part of the deal, got no one to blame
That's life
Well, you get a choice of which way to turn
Repeat the mistakes, or finally learn to get by
So the Greyhound wouldn't pass on through
Emma's stood shouting in full view
"I know it's all gonna be okay
'Cause I'm gettin' on that bus today"