A popular song from 1952.
Words and music by Hank Williams and Fred Rose.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- Now you’re lookin’ at a man
That’s gettin’ kinda mad
I’ve 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
My fishin’ pole is broke
The creek is full of sand
My woman ran away with the hired hand
No matter how I struggle and strive
I’ll never get out of this world alive
A distant uncle passed away
And left me quite a batch
And I was livin’ high until the fatal day
A lawyer proved I wasn’t born
I was only hatched
Ev’rything’s agin me and it’s got me down
If I jumped in the river I would prob’ly drown
No matter how I struggle and strive
I’ll never get out of this world alive - I could buy a Sunday suit
And it would leave me broke
If it had two pair of pants
I would burn the coat
No matter how I struggle and strive
I’ll never get out of this world alive
If it was rainin’ gold
I wouldn’t stand a chance
I wouldn’t have a pocket
In my patched-up pants
No matter how I struggle and strive
I’ll never get out of this world alive
These shabby shoes I’m wearin’ all the time
Are full of holes and nails
And Brother, if I stepped on a worn out dime
I bet a nickel I could tell if it was heads or tails
I’m not gonna worry wrinkles in my brow
‘Cause nothin’s ever gonna be alright no-how
No matter how I struggle and strive
I’ll never get out of this world alive