I've seen my mama cry for days
Cause she knew my dad was weak
And soon his name became the word
We both were ashamed to speak
Just before he went away
He sat me on his knee
He said, "Son, I'm bad
But I'm still your dad
And I wish you'd listen to me
Cause I know what I am, boy
Just no good
And I don't want you to turn out like that
Don't do like I done, son
Don't you throw your life away
Don't do like I did, kid
Do like I say"
Now they say I'm like my daddy
My kind of life is bad
I got me a woman that hates me
And the son that calls me dad
My worried mind grows heavy
As I take him on my knee
To tell him that I'm leaving
And not to be like my dad and me
I say, "Look at me, boy
I'm a mess
I don't want you to turn out like this
No, sir
Don't do like I done, son
Don't you throw your life away
Don't do like I did, kid
Do like I say"