Monday morning, crack of dawn, I'm already dressed
Grandma's making fried potatoes, wearing her Sunday best
She says, "Son, go wash your hands and fix yourself a plate
We got to go into town today, and you know we can’t be late
Where's Charlie? We got to get him dressed and fed
Don’t you tell me that boy is still in bed"

[chorus]
Bang on the door and wake up Charlie
Tell that boy to rise and shine
Bang on the door and wake up Charlie
The kettle’s on, the sun is high, and we got to be at the jail by nine


Charlie’s almost sixteen, but his age is hard to tell
His eyes have clouded over and his mind don’t work too well
But I can still remember when his eyes were bright as stars
Maybe I’m only twelve, but I’m as tough as Charlie’s scars
Hey Charlie, we got to get you dressed and fed
Grandma told me to get you out of your bed

[chorus]

I was barely seven the night it all came down
One of mama’s boyfriends was knocking me around
Charlie tried to help and took it hard upside the head
Mama grabbed a shotgun and she killed that devil dead
Hey Charlie, won’t you get up off the ground
Mama, can’t you make him come around

[chorus]