Born in hell, died in the swell
When his mother fell

Into the promised land; now ain’t life grand
Kids pick berries, momma washes pans
Daddy raises a knife to chop his hand

Boy, you are the hero come to save us all
Tie your shoes; smile as I fall

Her cough got thicker, her boy got bigger
Wanted to come home but instead he crossed the river

Back in Sacramento, his father died
The boy, too late, walked as he cried

Dead man smiled, his boy looked down
In all his life, he’d never learned to frown

Momma, he said, I’ll buy you a house to own
With all my money we’ll never be alone