I was born by the river
Left my home at the age of ten
I made a promise
Ain't never gonna go back home again
And if the cops are gonna get me
I may be president by then

I was saved from drowning
When I fell into the stream of life
It was my woman
Had no plans to make her my wife
And as the change is getting closer
The cold wind cuts me like a knife

Oh and yeah suppose you think that I'm a fool
I have not come to excuse myself
My jugs in pieces
And now I've spilled my wine

Spent my life in conversation
With a man I saw on the edge of town
He pointed one way
I couldn't stay up so I had to sit down
And now the irons are in the fire
And I ain't never heard that sound