Martha Ellen Jenkins, how long have I chased the boys away from you
It seems like it was yesterday I turned Bill Johnson's green eyes black and blue
That was back in grammar school, already you had won my heart away
Martha Ellen Jenkins, I even loved you in the second grade

Martha Ellen Jenkins, I remember every time you broke my heart
The eighth grade it was Tommy Joe. Tommy, he was trouble from the start
I met him in the schoolyard one afternoon when everyone was gone
Martha Ellen Jenkins, Tommy didn't stay around too long

Martha Ellen Jenkins, how long have the boys been makin' eyes at you
You've always been a pretty one, you'd be any fella's dream come true
All the way through high school it tore me up to watch them as they stared
Martha Ellen Jenkins, some times you didn't notice I was there

Martha Ellen Jenkins, how long have I waited for the day to come
Ever since the second grade I prayed that I would be the lucky one
Now you're walkin' down the aisle just the way I always dreamed you would
Martha Ellen Jenkins, now I've chased the boys away for good

Martha Ellen Jenkins, now I've chased the boys away for good