I was born and raised in Alabama On a way back up in the woods I was so ragged that used to call me Patches Papa to tease 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 he raised Barely the bills we made
For, life had kick him to the ground he tried to get up Life kick 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 pull the through My son, all left up to you
Two days later passed away, and I became a man day So I told I was gonna quit school, but She said was Daddy's strictest rule
So mornin' 'fore I went to school I fed the and I chopped wood too Sometimes I felt that I go on I wanted to leave, just run away home But I would 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 rain And washed all the crops And at the age of 13 I I was carryin' the of the Whole on my shoulders And you know, Mama What I was through, 'cause
day I had to work the fields 'Cause the only way we got our meals You see, I was the oldest of the And else depended on me Every I heard my Mama pray Lord, him the strength to make another day
So have passed and all the kids are grown The angels took to a brand new home Lord knows, people, I shedded But my daddy's voice me through the years
Sing, Patches, I'm on you, son To pull the family My son, all left 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 hear Papa, what he said Patches, I'm on you, son To the family through My son, all left up to you