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 breaking Mommas heart

I drove that thousand miles like a bat out of hell
Searched every corner, every low rent motel
Till I found her there with greasy hair and a strangers eyes
And then 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 you could have known'

'Life was gonna knock you down
Strip you to the bone and leave you all alone
Girl you've been gone from love too long'

As the lights of LA faded in our rear-view mirror
She said, 'Sis I'm scared to death'
I left home innocent, I'm going back a sinner
I've seen and done things I'd just as soon forget

She put out her last cigarette and crumpled up the pack
And said, 'What I wouldn't give to have just part of myself back'
And I took her hand, said, 'I understand', she broke down
She said, 'Tell me how, do I face Momma now'

I said, 'You've been gone from love too long
There's nothing to be ashamed of
No way you could have known'

'Life was gonna knock you down
Strip you to the bone and leave you all alone
Girl you've been gone from love too long'

Momma met us halfway 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 you could have known'

'Life was gonna knock you down
Strip you to the bone and leave you all alone
Girl you've been gone from love too long
From love too long'