Papa Was A Good Man

It rained all the way to Cincinnati
With our mattress on top of the car
Us kids were eating crackers and baloney
And Papa kept on driving
Never stopped once at a bar

Then Mama started talking about Jesus
And how our lives could be from now on
While Papa bought a used tire in Columbus
Mama rocked the baby till all his tears were gone
She said your papa is a good man
And don't you kids forget it

The whiskey's trying to ruin him
But I know the Lord won't let it
Then we sang Amazing Grace and Bringing In The Sheaves
Rock of ages
Rock of ages
Cleft for me

I guess we should have known Papa never could quit drinking
The whiskey had too much hold on him
But he loved us and he did the best he could
And everytime the world would fall all around us

Mama packed everything we owned into some old car
And started out for some new town
She said your papa is a good man
And don't you kids forget it

The whiskey's tryin' to ruin him
But I know the Lord won't let it
Then we sang Amazing Grace and Bringing In The Sheaves
Rock of ages
Rock of ages
Cleft for me