I was born and down in Alabama On a farm way back up in the I was so ragged folks used to call me Patches used to tease me about it 'Cause deep down inside he was 'Cause he'd 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 the crops he raised Barely paid the we made
For, life had kick him down to the When he to get up Life kick him back down One day called me to his dyin' bed Put his hands on my 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 Papa passed away, and I a man that day So I told I was gonna quit school, but She said was Daddy's strictest rule
So every mornin' 'fore I to school I fed the and I chopped wood too Sometimes I felt that I go on I to leave, just run away from home 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 It's up to you to do the
Then one day a rain came And all the crops away And at the age of 13 I I was the weight of the world on my shoulders And you know, knew I was goin' through, 'cause
Every day I had to work the 'Cause that's the way we got our meals You see, I was the of the family And else depended on me Every night I heard my Mama Lord, give him the strength to make day
So years have passed and all the kids are The angels took Mama to a brand new Lord knows, people, I tears But my daddy's voice 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 voice 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