I was born and down in Alabama On a way back up in the woods I was so ragged that folks used to call me Papa used to me about it Cause deep inside he was hurt 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 Barely paid the we made
For, life had kick him to the ground When he to get up Life would kick him back One day Papa called me to his bed Put his hands on my And in his he said
He said, I'm on you, son To pull the through My son, it's all up to you
Two days later Papa away, and I a man that day So I told Mama I was quit school, but She said that was strictest rule
So mornin' 'fore I went to school I fed the and I chopped wood too Sometimes I felt I couldn't go on I wanted to leave, just run from home But I would remember what my said With in his eyes on his dyin' bed
He said, I'm on you, son I tried to do my It's up to you to do the
Then one day a strong came And washed all the away And at the age of 13 I I was the weight of the world on my shoulders 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 oldest of the And everybody depended on me Every night I heard my pray Lord, give him the to face another day
So years passed and all the kids are grown The took Mama to a brand new home knows, people, I shedded tears But my daddy's voice kept me the years
Sing, Patches, I'm on you, son To the family through 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 up to you to do the rest
I can still Papa, what he said