On our debut album, "Papa String Band", available at: www.papastringband.com.
This song tells the story of everyday, blue-collar life in the poor, rural south.
Drinkin' and workin'.
Well, it's a long way from lunch break,
and I don't know how much more I can take,
been workin' since, I can't say
be drivin' them nails till the break of day.
Only to find that I'm gonna lose my mind, if I don't
leave these blues behind and stop waistin' all my time
When I get home, time only will tell
if I can survive this treacherous hell
three cigarettes and a whiskey shot,
papa's gonna make it back to the house
Only one way, pickin'em up and puttin'em down.
Old nantee kicked the jug,
then hollered outside at the lightning bug
said, "Come on in, let's light the den,
take a peak at the chicks in the chicken pen."
Only to see that we ain't got nothin' to eat, and we're washin'
out our clothes in the Camden County creek.
Well I'll be workin' all day, till the sun goes down,
tryin' to make that dollar till the whistle sounds
and finally when I'm drivin' away, gonna smoke all my blues away.
Only one way, pickin'em up and puttin'em down.
When night time rolls around again,
and the rooster crows about a quarter till ten,
I'll be pickin' and a grinnin' on the family porch,
lappin' up them beers, showin' no remorse.
Only to see that we're out of corn whiskey, and I really gotta pee,
but it's way too dark to see.
I'll be bumblin' and a stumblin' just like a mouse,
tryin' to make my way to that old outhouse.
Twistin' and a turnin' and my toes will curl
then lean to the side and proceed to hurl
Only one way, pickin'em up and puttin'em down.
Well, it's a long way from lunch break
and I don't know how much more I can take.
Been drinkin' since, I can't say,
be drinkin' them beers till the break of day.
Only to find, that I'm gonna lose my mind, if I don't leave
these blues behind, and stop waistin' all my time.
I'll be working all day till the sun goes down,
tryin' to make that dollar till the whistle sounds,
and finally when I'm drivin' away
gonna smoke all my blues away.
Only one way, pickin'em up and puttin'em down.
Only one way, pickin'em up and puttin'em down.