Now you're looking at a man that's getting kinda mad
I had a lot of luck but it's all been bad
No matter how I struggle and strive
I'll never get out of this world alive

Well, my fishing pole's broke, creek's full of sand
My woman ran away with another man
No matter how I struggle and strive
I'll never get out of this world alive

Well, my distant uncle passed away
He left me quite a batch
I was living high until that fatal day
A lawyer proved I wasn't born, I was only hatched

Everything's against me and it's gotten me down
If I jumped in the river I would probably drown
No matter how I struggle and strive
I'll never get out of this world alive

Shake it, baby
Play the guitar, boys, play it, play it

These old shabby shoes, I'm wearing all the time
They're full of holes and nails
Hey, brother if I stepped on a worn out dime
I bet a nickel, I could tell ya if it was heads or tails
And I ain't gonna worry, wrinkles in my brow
'Cause nothing's ever gonna be bright anyhow
No matter how I struggle and strive
I'll never get out of this world alive

No matter how I struggle and strive
I'll never get out of this world alive
Alive