I was born and down in Alabama On a farm way back up in the I was so ragged that folks to call me Patches Papa used to me about it Cause deep inside he was hurt Cause he'd all he could
My was a great old man I can see him with a in his hands, see Education he had He did when the times got bad The little money from the crops he Barely paid the bills we
For, life had kick him down to the When he to get up Life would him back down One day Papa 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 a man that day So I told I was gonna quit school, but She said that was strictest rule
So every mornin' I went to school I fed the chickens and I chopped too Sometimes I that I couldn't go on I wanted to leave, just run away from But I would remember my daddy said With tears in his eyes on his bed
He said, I'm on you, son I to do my best up to you to do the rest
Then one day a strong came And all the crops away And at the age of 13 I I was carryin' the of the world on my shoulders And you know, knew I was goin' through, 'cause
Every day I had to the fields Cause the only way we got our meals You see, I was the of the family And else depended on me night I heard my Mama pray Lord, give him the to face another day
So years have passed and all the kids are The angels Mama to a brand new home knows, people, I shedded tears But my daddy's kept me through the years
Sing, Patches, I'm on you, son To pull the through My son, it's all up to you
Oh, I can still hear Papa's sayin' Patches, I'm on you, son tried to do my best It's up to you to do the
I can still hear Papa, he said