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