

Prompt / Lyrics
[Verse 1] She ties her hair back with a dollar-store clip Half tank of gas, half pack of chips Two car seats in that faded backseat row Laundry in baskets, bills in a stack Pink past-due stamp starin’ back Still she hums along as the school bus rolls on by slow [Chorus] Mama drives on empty, but she never runs out Of one more “you got this,” one more “we’ll work it out” World keeps takin’, she keeps makin’ Somethin’ out of almost gone She’s prayin’ in the porch light, fightin’ through the long nights Lovin’ like she’s made of stone and song Tank on E, eyes on three small faces Mama’s broke in all the right places But somehow, somehow Mama drives on empty and still goes on [Verse 2] She clocks in early at the checkout line Name tag crooked, but her smile shines Counts every coupon like a quiet little prayer Hand-me-down shoes on the kitchen floor She’s cuttin’ off crusts, lockin’ the door Says, “Eat up, baby, I already ate at work,” (she swears) [Chorus] Mama drives on empty, but she never runs out Of birthday pancakes, paper crowns cut out World keeps changin’, she’s rearrangin’ Dreams to fit this small-town lawn She’s dancin’ in the dishes, laughin’ through the short checks Tuckin’ in her heart in secondhand quilts ‘til dawn Tank on E, eyes on three small faces Mama’s tired in all the hard places But somehow, somehow Mama drives on empty and still goes on [Bridge] One day those car seats turn into keys Little hands let go of her faded blue jeans They’ll say, “How’d you do it?” She’ll just smile, shrug, say “I just loved you through it Every hungry, holy day” [Chorus] Mama drives on empty, but she never runs out Of quiet courage, soft-spoke faith and doubt World keeps takin’, she keeps makin’ Miracles from worn-out palms She’s singin’ in the hallway, patchin’ up the torn knees Turnin’ every “can’t” into a “baby, just hold on” Tank on E, eyes on three small faces Mama’s rich in all the right places Yeah somehow, somehow Mama drives on empty And still drives on
Tags
country, Warm country-pop ballad, midtempo groove with brushed drums and twangy electric. Start intimate with fingerpicked acoustic and soft male vocals; pedal steel threads through verses. Chorus opens wider with layered harmonies and steady kick, big emotional lift. Subtle organ pad in the bridge, final chorus slightly higher key for a cathartic, radio-ready climax., pop
3:29
No
2/18/2026