"At one time, friends, I had a ma, I even had a pa Well he beat her with a belt once 'cause she cried She told him to take care of me, headed down to Tennessee Well, it's easier than just a-waitin' around to die I came of age and I found a girl in a Tuscaloosa bar Ah, she cleaned me out and hit it on the sly Well, I tried to kill the pain, I bought some wine and hopped a train It seemed easier than just a-waitin' around to die"