Yeah, my mother hadn't died
Lord, my father left his child at home
If my mother hadn't died
Lord, my father left his child at home
Well, my life won't be so miserable, baby
I wouldn't feel so all alone

I was born in Alabama
People, I was raised up in Tennessee
I was born in Alabama
People, I was raised up in Tennessee
Well, I lived through all this sorrow
Someone's always tryin' to hurt poor me

Well, I'd rather be lyin' dead
Sleepin' way down in my grave
Well, I'd rather be dead
Sleepin' way down in my grave
Than to live all this sorrow
Yeah, and misery every day