I was born and raised in Alabama On a way back up in the woods I was so ragged that folks to call me Patches Papa used to tease me it deep down inside he was hurt Cause he'd done all he
My was a great old man I can see him with a in his hands, see he never had He did wonders when the got bad The little money from the crops he Barely the bills we made
For, life had kick him to the ground When he to get up Life would kick him down One day called me to his dyin' bed Put his hands on my And in his tears he
He said, I'm on you, son To the family through My son, all left up to you
Two days later passed away, and I became a man day So I told Mama I was quit school, but She said that was Daddy's rule
So every mornin' 'fore I went to I fed the and I chopped wood too Sometimes I felt I couldn't go on I to leave, just run away from home But I remember what my daddy said With tears in his on his dyin' bed
He said, I'm on you, son I tried to do my up to you to do the rest
Then one day a strong rain And washed all the away And at the age of 13 I I was carryin' the of the Whole world on my And you know, Mama I was goin' through, 'cause
Every day I had to work the that's the only way we got our meals You see, I was the of the family And everybody else on me Every night I heard my Mama Lord, give him the to face another day
So years have passed and all the kids are The angels took Mama to a brand new Lord knows, people, I shedded But my voice kept me through the years
Sing, Patches, I'm on you, son To pull the family My son, it's all up to you
Oh, I can still hear voice sayin' Patches, I'm on you, son I've to do my best It's up to you to do the
I can hear Papa, what he said