We moved here from somewhere when I was fourteen
Worked this poor ground for bacon and beans
The landlord told me that the hard times is near
It didn't mean a thing 'cause they're already here

Mama's got the fever and the baby's sick too
Papa's uptown soakin' up that booze
Just out of prison says he ain't goin' back
Ain't a bloodhound in Georgia that can follow his track

We bought a new mule brought him up from down South
He'll kick the chewin' tobacco right out of your mouth
Water in the well barely out of sight
Can't take a bath on a Saturday night

Our crops are all wilted no rain day or night
Preacher's here for dinner we ain't got a bite
Eleven in the family ten daughters and a son
Mama just told us there'd be another one