I was and raised down in Alabama On a way back up in the woods I was so ragged that folks used to me Patches Papa used to me about it 'Cause deep down inside he was '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 when the times got bad The little money from the he raised paid the bills we made
For, life had kick him down to the he tried to get up Life would kick him down One day called me to his dyin' bed Put his hands on my 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 Papa passed away, and I a man that day So I Mama I was gonna quit school, but She said that was Daddy's strictest
So every mornin' 'fore I to school I fed the chickens and I wood too I felt that I couldn't go on I wanted to leave, just run away from But I remember what my daddy said With in his eyes on his dyin' 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 Whole world on my And you know, Mama What I was through, 'cause
day I had to work the fields 'Cause that's the way we got our meals You see, I was the oldest of the And everybody depended on me Every I heard my Mama pray Lord, give him the strength to make day
So years have passed and all the kids are The angels took Mama to a new home Lord knows, people, I shedded But my daddy's voice kept me through the
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 tried to do my best It's up to you to do the
I can still hear Papa, he said Patches, I'm on you, son To the family through My son, it's all up to you