[Intro]
I'd like to tell you 'bout my home town
But it's awfully hard to explain to a stranger
It's been a year since I went down
To the place where I was born and raised, sir

[Chorus]
I gotta make it rich, I'm getting tired of digging ditches back on the farm
I got a girl I wanna marry and I know that she loves me
Yes, I'm ready for work, I got my shirtsleeves rolled up around my arms
I got a chance to make it rich in a textile factory

[Verse 1]
Well, my papa was a poor man but always did the best he could
And he whipped my behind whenever I wasn't good
There were six of us children in my family
And not a single one of us has ever learned how to read

[Bridge]
Well, I'm really not complaining, my parents were the best you could have
Well, I love my mama and I really respected my dad

[Verse 2]
Well, let me tell you that every Sunday morning we would dress in our Sunday clothes
And we would listen to a sermon from the preacher about our good Lord
Well, the preacher said, "Child, be thankful for the food you eat"
But my tastes are getting bigger, I think I'll be traveling East
[Chorus]
You know, I gotta make it rich, I'm getting tired of digging ditches back on the farm
I got a girl I wanna marry and I know that she loves me
Yes, I'm ready for work, I got my sleeves rolled up around my arms
I got a chance to make it rich in a textile factory

[Bridge]
Well, now listen here, brother, if you think you've got it bad
Mmm well, what do you think about the life I've had?

[Verse 3]
Well, my father said to me, "Son, you know you've got to earn your keep"
So I've been working from sunup to sundown since I was thirteen
Well, my father said, "Boy, be thankful got a place to sleep"
But I've been sleeping awful restless and I think I'll be moving East

[Chorus]
You know, I gotta make it rich, I'm getting tired of digging ditches back on the farm
I got a girl I wanna marry and I know that she loves me
Yes, I'm ready for work, I got my sleeves rolled up around my arms
I got a chance to make it rich in a textile factory

You know I gotta make it rich, I'm getting tired of digging ditches back on the farm
I got a girl I wanna marry and I know that she loves me
Yes, I'm ready for work, I got my sleeves rolled up around my arms
I got a chance to make it rich in a textile factory
You know I gotta make it rich, I'm getting tired of digging ditches back on the farm...