[Verse 1]
We moved here from somewheres when I was fourteen
Worked this poor ground for bacon and beans
The landlord told me, hard times is near
Didn't mean a thing 'cause they're already here
Daylight till dark my work's never done
The Lord have mercy on this sharecropper's son

[Instrumental fiddle break]

[Verse 2]
Mama's got the fever and the baby's sick too
Papa's uptown soakin' up that brew
Just out of prison, says he ain't going back
Ain't a bloodhound in Georgia that can follow his tracks
Daylight till dark my work's never done
The Lord have mercy on this sharеcropper's son

[Instrumental banjo break]

[Verse 3]
We bought a new mulе, brought him up from down south
He'll kick the chew tobacco right out of your mouth
Water in the well barely out of sight
Can't take a bath on a Saturday night
Daylight till dark my work's never done
The Lord have mercy on this sharecropper's son
[Verse 4]
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
Daylight till dark my work's never done
The Lord have mercy on this sharecropper's son