I was and raised down in Alabama On a way back up in the woods I was so that folks used to call me Patches Papa used to me about it 'Cause deep down he was hurt 'Cause done all he could
My papa was a old man I can see him with a in his hands, see Education he had He did wonders the times got bad The little money from the crops he paid the bills we made
For, life had kick him down to the When he to get up Life would him back down One day Papa called me to his bed Put his on my shoulders And in his tears he
He said, I'm on you, son To pull the family My son, all left up to you
Two days later Papa away, and I a man that day So I Mama I was gonna quit school, but She that was Daddy's 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 away home 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 washed all the away And at the age of 13 I I was carryin' the of the Whole on my shoulders And you know, knew I was goin' through, 'cause
Every day I had to the fields 'Cause that's the only way we got our You see, I was the of the family And everybody depended on me Every night I heard my Mama Lord, give him the strength to another day
So have passed and all the kids are grown The took Mama to a brand new home Lord knows, people, I shedded But my daddy's voice kept me 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 voice Patches, I'm on you, son tried to do my best It's up to you to do the
I can hear Papa, what he said Patches, I'm on you, son To pull the through My son, it's all up to you