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 rent, motel   Till I found her there with greasy hair and a strangers eyes   And she cried and I held her tight.      Chorus:   Said you've been gone from love too long   There's nothing to be ashamed of, no way you coulda 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 LA faded in our rearview, mirror   She said sis I'm scared to death   I left home innocent and I'm going back a sinner   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   Then I took her hand and said I, understand   She said tell me how do I face mama now.      Chorus:   Said you've been gone from love too long   There's nothing to be ashamed of, no way you coulda 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 halfway down the driveway   Held out her arms to her baby and all she had to say was   You been gone from love too long   There's nothing to be ashamed of there's no way you coulda 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...