All my life I've been a poor boy; it's been hard to get a dime
Everything I got I had to pay for it on time, but that's all right
Long as I got a toe hold, long as I got a piece of you
Long as I got a toe hold, I can make it through

Look here, I said I went to see a doctor, baby talk about his malnutrition
Now I don't try to be a fat man; I gotta look about my ambition, look here
Long as I got a toe hold, long as I got a piece of you
Long as I got a toe hold, I can make it through

A li-li-li-li-li-li-li-li toe hold, a li-li-li-li-li-li-li-li toe hold, hey!

So baby, if you're with me, let the whole world be against me
I don't expect to ever get rich, I'm doin' fine, me diggin' a ditch; that's all right
Long as I got a toe hold, long as I got a piece of you
Long as I got a toe hold, I can make it through

Ah, ooo baby, ow, good God!