A-Sleepin’ at the Foot of the Bed

Well, did you ever sleep at the foot of the bed
When the weather was whizzing cold
When the wind was a howling 'round the house
And the moon was yeller as gold

And you give your good warm mattress
Up to Aunt Lizzie and Uncle Fred
How too many kinfolks on a bad night
And you went to the foot of the bed
Well, I could always wait
Till the old folks ate
And eat the leavings with grace

The teacher could keep me after school
I'd still have a smile on my face
I could wear the big girls' wornout clothes
Or let sister have my sled
But it always did get my nanny goat
To sleep at the foot of the bed

It was fine enough when kinfolks come
And the kid brought brand new games
You could see how fat all the old folks was
And learn all the babies' names
Had biscuits and custard
And chicken pie
We all got Sunday fed
But I always knew when nighttime come
I was headed for the foot of the bed

Now they say some folks don't know
What it is havin' company all over the place
To rassle for cover on a winter night
With a big foot settin' in your face
Or cold toenails a scratchin' your back
And the footboard scrubbing your head
Well, I'll tell the world
You ain't lost a thing
Never sleepin' at the foot of the bed

Well, I've done it over and over again
In this land of the brave and the free
And in this all fired battle of life
It's left its mark on me

For I'm always a strugglin' around
At the foot instead of forgin' ahead
And I don't think it's caused from a doggone thing
But a sleepin' at the foot of the bed