I walked alone on some old highway Tryin’ hard to bum a ride When a grey haired man, pulled up beside me Grinned at me, as I climbed inside He said son, where are you going Now won’t you tell me, just where you’re from I said I’m broke and awful lonely And I feel I can’t go on.
(Chorus) I’ve been down below rock bottom I’ve been tossed out and left for dead I’ve had my share of stormy weather Now I’m beat down and hangin’ by a thread.
He just smiled and said that’s nothing You ought to see the shape I’m in I was born in a depression I had no shoes, ‘til I was ten I fought a war when I turned twenty I left two kids and a worried wife Lost a friend two days from leavin’ And I still owe that boy my life.
(Repeat Chorus)
I’ve got scars from years of living An aching back from debts I paid So don’t tell me about your troubles Seems to me, you’ve got it made Well, he dropped me off, this side of Knoxville As he put out his cigarette He shook my hand, slipped me a twenty Left me with something, I won’t soon forget.