Well I worked all summer, couldn't save a cent
Gave all my money to the government
I don't know quite how it got spent
But the bank's a-coming for my deed
The man at the mill can't see, boy
Let's me get my feed for free, boy
Ain't that the way it is?
Well I cut out down a gravel road
And I traded my stock for a V-8 Ford
Dad's 410 down on the floorboards
Hands the title on down to me
That gasoline ain't free, boy
Clutch wearing out my knee, boy
Ain't that the way it is?
Well I met me a woman down in St. Paul
And I even met her ma, and I met her pa
Her brother told me he'd bust my jaw
If I talked to his sister again
Told me I couldn't win, boy
Blood running out my chin now
Ain't that the way it is?
Well I slept all night on the barroom floor
And I woke up early morning my head was sore
My pockets are empty, but I want some more
The barman's got my car
Tab's worth more by far, boy
Leave her down at the bar now
Ain't that the way it is?
Well I hitched me a ride on a-way back home
And I got me a job on a family farm
Times are hard here, and I can't roam
But I ain't got nothing more
And I owe that company store, boy
Road's looking good for sure, boy
Ain't that the way it is?
Well I worked all summer, couldn't save a cent
I gave all my money to the government
I don't know quite how it got spent
But the bank's a-coming for my deed
The man at the mill can't see, boy
Let's me get my feed for free, boy
Ain't that the way it is?