I was born and raised down in On a farm way back up in the I was so ragged that folks used to call me Papa to tease me about it Cause deep down inside he was Cause he'd done all he
My papa was a old man I can see him a shovel in his hands, see Education he had He did wonders the times got bad The little money from the he raised paid the bills we made
For, life had kick him to the ground When he to get up would kick him back down One day called me to his dyin' bed Put his on my shoulders And in his tears he
He said, I'm on you, son To pull the through My son, it's all up to you
Two later Papa passed away, and I a man that day So I told Mama I was gonna school, but She said that was strictest rule
So every mornin' 'fore I to school I fed the and I chopped wood too I felt that I couldn't go on I wanted to leave, just run away from But I would remember what my daddy With tears in his on his dyin' bed
He said, I'm on you, son I to do my best It's up to you to do the
Then one day a strong came And washed all the crops And at the age of 13 I I was carryin' the of the world on my shoulders And you know, Mama What I was goin' through,
Every day I had to the fields Cause the only way we got our meals You see, I was the of the family And everybody depended on me night I heard my Mama pray Lord, give him the strength to face day
So years have passed and all the kids are The angels Mama to a brand new home Lord knows, people, I tears But my daddy's voice kept me the years
Sing, Patches, I'm on you, son To pull the family My son, it's all up to you
Oh, I can hear Papa's voice sayin' Patches, I'm on you, son I've tried to do my It's up to you to do the
I can still hear Papa, what he