I was and raised down in Alabama On a farm way up in the woods I was so ragged that used to call me Patches Papa used to me about it 'Cause deep down he was hurt he'd 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 wonders when the got bad The little money from the crops he paid the bills we made
For, life had him down to the ground he tried to get up Life would kick him down One day Papa me to his dyin' bed Put his on my shoulders And in his he said
He said, I'm on you, son To the family through My son, it's all up to you
Two days later Papa away, and I a man that day So I told Mama I was quit school, but She said that was Daddy's rule
So every mornin' 'fore I went to 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 would remember my daddy said tears 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 rain came And washed all the crops And at the age of 13 I I was carryin' the of the Whole world on my And you know, Mama I was goin' through, 'cause
Every day I had to the fields 'Cause the only way we got our meals You see, I was the of the family And else depended on me Every night I heard my pray Lord, give him the strength to another day
So years have passed and all the kids are The angels took to a brand new home Lord knows, people, I shedded But my daddy's voice kept me through the
Sing, Patches, I'm on you, son To pull the through My son, all left up to you
Oh, I can hear Papa's voice sayin' Patches, I'm on you, son I've tried to do my up to you to do the rest
I can still hear Papa, he said Patches, I'm on you, son To pull the through My son, all left up to you