I was born and raised down in On a farm way up in the woods I was so ragged that folks used to me Patches used to tease me about it 'Cause deep inside he was hurt 'Cause done all he could
My was a great old man I can see him with a in his hands, see he never had He did wonders the times got bad The money from the crops he raised Barely paid the we made
For, life had kick him to the ground he tried to get up Life would kick him down One day Papa called me to his bed Put his hands on my And in his tears he
He said, I'm on you, son To the family through My son, all left up to you
Two days Papa passed away, and I a man that day So I told Mama I was gonna school, but She said that was strictest rule
So every mornin' I went to school I fed the and I chopped wood too Sometimes I felt that I go on I wanted to leave, run away from home But I would remember what my daddy With tears in his eyes on his bed
He said, I'm on you, son I tried to do my It's up to you to do the
Then one day a strong came And washed all the away And at the age of 13 I I was the weight of the Whole world on my And you know, knew What I was goin' through,
Every day I had to the fields 'Cause the only way we got our meals You see, I was the oldest of the And everybody else on me Every night I my Mama pray Lord, him the strength to make another day
So have passed and all the kids are grown The angels took Mama to a new home Lord knows, people, I shedded But my daddy's kept me through the years
Sing, Patches, I'm on you, son To pull the family My son, it's all up to you
Oh, I can still hear Papa's voice Patches, I'm on you, son I've tried to do my up to you to do the rest
I can still Papa, what he said Patches, I'm on you, son To pull the family My son, it's all up to you