Down in Louisiana On a cotton plantation Little tent room shack And a third grade education
Two stringed wood guitar I taught myself how to play, yes, I did Kept the whole family up all night And I told them that you'll all thank me one day Yes, I did
My sister would scream "Boy, you just got to stop You're waking up the whole family Everybody is going to be hot"
Two stringed wood guitar And I sure enough taught myself how to play She said, "Turn it down, Buddy" I said, "Shut up, you're gonna thank me someday" You're gonna thank me one day Did you hear what I said?
That was sixty years ago Now my mom and dad is gone I go see my sisters and brothers And the grand-kids come along
I give the little ones my guitar I tell 'em, "Close your eyes and play Don't even worry about the neighbors Y'all gonna thank me someday"
Down in Louisiana On a cotton plantation A little tent room shack And I only got a third grade education
That's why I taught myself I'm telling you that's why I taught myself How to play, yes, I did I kept my family up all night And now they're thanking me everyday Oh yeah, they're thanking me everyday