I was born and raised down in On a farm way up in the woods I was so ragged that folks used to call me Papa to tease me about it 'Cause deep inside he was hurt 'Cause he'd all he could
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 the crops he raised Barely paid the bills we
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 he said
He said, I'm on you, son To pull the through My son, all left up to you
Two days Papa passed away, and I a man that day So I told I was gonna quit school, but She said was Daddy's strictest rule
So every mornin' 'fore I to school I fed the chickens and I chopped too Sometimes I felt I couldn't go on I wanted to leave, run away from home But I would remember my daddy said With tears in his eyes on his 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 all the crops away And at the age of 13 I I was the weight of the world on my shoulders And you know, Mama What I was through, 'cause
Every day I had to the fields that's the only way we got our meals 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 make 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 the family through My son, it's all up to you
Oh, I can still hear Papa's voice Patches, I'm on you, son I've to do my best up to you to do the rest
I can still hear Papa, he said Patches, I'm on you, son To pull the family My son, all left up to you