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 used to tease me about it 'Cause deep inside he was hurt '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 from the crops he paid 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 he said
He said, I'm on you, son To pull the family My son, it's all up to you
Two days later 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 went to 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 would remember what my daddy tears in his eyes on his dyin' 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 carryin' the of the world on my shoulders And you know, knew What I was goin' through,
Every day I had to the fields that's the only way we got our meals You see, I was the of the family And everybody else on me Every I heard my Mama pray Lord, give him the strength to another day
So years have passed and all the kids are The angels Mama to a brand new home Lord knows, people, I tears 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 still Papa's voice sayin' Patches, I'm on you, son tried to do my best It's up to you to do the
I can still Papa, what he said Patches, I'm on you, son To the family through My son, it's all up to you