You and mother would cry
When dad went away
Selling his watches and chains
He'd be gone for a while
Weeks at a time
The neighbors all started to say

You and your mother should not disagree
That he's wasting away
Wasting, wasting away
All his morals, his theology
Have been left to decay
Left to, left to decay
Where's your fruit?
Where's your meat?
Where's your bread?
Have you eaten today?
Have you eaten today?
Then your mother'd say pay them no heed
They don't know what they say
They don't know what they say

Then your father'd come home
All of your doubts
Questions and worries were gone
Yet, soon so was he
And in the house 'cross the street
The rumors and lies they went on

You and your mother should not disagree
That he's wasting away
Wasting, wasting away
All his morals, his theology
Have been left to decay
Left to, left to decay
Where's your fruit?
Where's your meat?
Where's your bread?
Have you eaten today?
Have you eaten today?
Then your mother'd say pay them no heed
They don't know what they say
They don't know what they say
So get in your bible and read
The passages written for thee
So rumors don't set in as truth
So your neighbors lies don't get to you

You and your mom shouldn't cry
For dad will be home in due time
He has only left to provide
A meal and a roof to stay dry