I was born and down in Alabama On a farm way back up in the Oh, I was so ragged, folks call me Patches Papa to tease me about it But deep down inside dad was 'Cause he done the best he do
My papa was a old man I can see him a shovel in his hand daddy never had But he did wonders when the got bad The little money from the we raised paid the bills we made
Oh, life put him to the ground he tried to get up, life would kick him back down On the day papa called me to his bed Placed his hands on my shoulders and in he said
"Patches, I'm on you son To the family through, my son, it's all left up to you"
Two days later passed away And I a man that day So, everyday I had to the fields that's the only way we got our meals See, I was the of the family And was depending on me
Now, years have passed, grown Mama's been living in a new home Lord knows it took a lot of sweat and And my daddy's voice helped that us the years
He said, "Patches, I'm on you son To pull the family through, my son, all left up to you"
Daddy had been for a long time, flat on his back Every evening after finished our chores and eat our dinner all go into papa's room to cheer him up a little And this particular day, Dad was in spirits Sitting on the side of the bed telling how good she looked When all of a sudden had a pain in his chest
I was too young to understand, talking about a heart here rushed all of us out of the room into the hallway About ten minutes she came out with tears in her eyes She out to me "Patches, patches get in boy you're Daddy want to see you" I went running to papa's room papa lay there
Daddy had tears in his eyes, I something was wrong 'Cause was a poor man but all of my life he'd been a proud man I down on one knee beside the bed Papa put his on my shoulder He said, "Patches, Patches boy, the hammer of done beat old papa down to the ground and I ain't got nobody To turn to take care of mama and the ones"
"So, what I want you to do is me son Is that you're gonna do your to help your mama As as you can", I said, "Papa I'm gonna do my best" But did I know then like I know right now That trying to climb mountain Searching for a top when ain't no top
Sometimes you yourself frustrated, lazy But every time I feel like I can't live my life I want to My mind back to that day When I see those tears in my eyes But of all I remember his words "Patches, I'm on you boy"
Every I feel like giving up I hear his voice "Patches, Patches, Patches, Patches"
"I'm on you son I tried to do my best, up you to do the rest"
"Patches, I'm on you son I've to do my best, it's up you to do the rest"
"Patches, I'm on you son To pull the through, my son, it's all left up to you"