Sharecropper’s Son
Ralph Stanley
Written by Carter and Ralph Stanley
Key of G · Chords: I IV V
Open in Bluegrass Book: transpose, play alongVerse 1
G C G We moved here from Summers when I was fourteen D7 G Worked this poor ground for bacon and beans C G The landlord told me that hard times were near D7 G Didn't mean a thing cause they're already here
Verse 2
C G Daylight till dark my work’s never done D7 G Lord have mercy on a sharecropper’s son
Verse 3
C G Momma's got the fever and the baby’s sick too D7 G Poppa’s uptown soakin’ up that brew C G Just out of prison said he ain’t going back D7 G Ain’t a blood hound in Georgia that can follow his track
Verse 2
C G Daylight till dark my work’s never done D7 G Lord have mercy on a sharecropper’s son
Verse 4
C G We bought a new mule brought him up from down south D7 G He'd kick the chew of tobacco right out of your mouth C G Water in the well is barely out of sight D7 G Can’t take a bath on a Saturday night
Verse 2
C G Daylight till dark my work’s never done D7 G Lord have mercy on a sharecropper’s son
Verse 5
C G Our crops are all wilted no rain day or night D7 G The preacher's here for dinner we ain't got a bite C G Eleven in the family ten daughter's and a son D7 G And momma's just told us there'd be another one
Verse 2
C G Daylight till dark my work’s never done D7 G Lord have mercy on a sharecropper’s son