Dad was my hero God called him away Momma was lonely and I was afraid With no one to lean on I turned to the booze Hard times come early when you’re born with the blues Railroads were leaving and airplanes were in The great war was brewing about to begin Hungry and lonesome nothing to lose Raised in a boxcar and born with the blues Born with the blues trouble in mind Smoking and drinking by the time I was nine In debt from the start I’m still paying my dues Crazy and lonely and born with the blues In spite of the cocaine and in spite of it all God gave me a woman to cushion the fall You’re like Paul of the bible spreading good news A man on a journey and born with the blues