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