At O: Dark Thirty I begin to rise,
A minute or two later I pry open my eyes.
    I stumble across the floor and wash my face in the sink
put on A pot of coffee, get myself A cold drink.
     Now me and Ma have breakfast, and before the rooster crowed
we done been out in garden and got the corn peas hoed
     Done been up to the barn, milked 12 old cows
and  bottle fed 4 calves that had loose bowels.
     Ma went to feed the chickens and found 4 dead.
I grabbed A rock and hit the neighbors dog in the head.
     My best sow was sick, so I called the vet.
That will cost me A purty penny I bet.
     Fixed a flat on the tractor, went out to mowing hay.
Ma started cannin pickles and puttem away.
    Mowed hay till it was high noon and hot, and time for dinner.
Was thinkin' about green beans in the pot startin to simmer.
    Shore enough ma said for dinner, it was new potatoes green beans and hot corn bread.
Just like the doctor ordered I said.
    A hot cup of coffee a cold glass of tea.
Save a piece of coconut pie for me.
    Went back to mowin' hay after dinner but didn't get far.
Knocked four teeth out of my ole sickle bar.
    Workin on the sickle bar at the tool shed.
Ma stuck her head out, phone for you, she said.
    Seems it was my neighbor at the back side of the place.
He said get over here now son, no time to waste.
    He said your stud tore down the fence, boy I know he's a rounder.
But your mares follered him out I'm afraid they'll founder.
    I saddled my gelding, he's the one I ride.
Got the mares through the fence back on my side.
    My saddle girth broke when I roped the stud.
I mashed my nose, covered my shirt with blood.
    Got the ole stud stopped at the end of the slide.
But my right arm and hip was missin' most of the hide.
    Got the fence fixed, went back to the tool shed.
Wiped off my saddle where my nose had bled.
    Got the sickle bar fixed, went back to mowin' hay.
It was late afternoon, lost most of the day.
    Mowed past time to do the evenin chores.
My nose hurt some, my hip was still sore.
    But when the hay got too tough, I got the milkin' done.
I said it was time to relax and have a little fun.
    After a hot bath, clean cloths and a little iodine.
I sat down to supper, it was right at nine.
    After supper on the porch, takin' in evenin' air.
I was thinkin' bout my troubles, had my share.
    Late on my tractor payment, but doing my best.
I still owe $600 dollars to the IRS.
    House needs paint, need a tune up on the truck.
But I'll take care of it if I have any luck.
    I'm behind on my tithes, and a few other bills.
But I'll take them too, if that's what the Lord wills.
    I ain't starved out and I ain't beat.
I got a roof over my head and plenty to eat.
    I ain't complainin' and I ain't down.
Cause workin' on the farm still beats a job in town.