Patches

I was born and raised in Alabama.
On a farm way back up in the woods.
I was so ragged folks used to call me patches papa used to 
teas me bout it but deep down in side he was hurtin cause 
he done all he could.

My papa was a great old man I could see him with a shouvle 
in his hand see education he never had he did wounders when
 the times got bad the little money from the crops he 
raised bearly paid the bills we made.

Ho life would kick him down the ground when he tried to get
 up life would kick him back down one day papa called me to
 his dying bed with his hands on ma shoulders and tears he 
said patches im depending on ya son to pull the family 
through now son its all left up to you.

Two days later papa passed away and I became a man that so 
I told mam I was gonns quit school but she said that was 
daddies stricktest rule.
So every mornin before I when to school I fed the Chickens 
and I copped wood too, some times I felt that I couldn't go
 on I wnted to leave just run away from home but I would 
remember what my daddy said with his hand on ma shoulders 
and tears he said he said patches Im depending on ya son 
ive tried to do my best its up to you to do the rest.

Then one day a strong rain came and washed all the crops 
away and at the age of thirteen I thought I was carring the
 waite of the whole world on my shoulders and you know 
mamma knew what I was going through cause evey day I had to
 work the feilds cause thats the only way we got our meals 
you see I was the oldest of the family and everybody was 
depending on me every night I heard my mamma pray lord give
 hime strength to make another day.
Though the years have passed and all the kids have grown 

the angels took mamma to a brand new lord knows people I,ve
 shed some tears but my daddies voice kept ringing through 
the my ears saying patches i'm depending on ya son to pull 
the family through now son its all left up to you.
Patches I tried to my best its up to you to do the rest