Lyrics Papa Was a Good Man - Charlie Rich

It rained all the way to Cincinnati
With our mattress on the top of the car
Us kids were eatin' crackers and baloney
And papa kept on drivin', never stopped once at a bar

Then mama started talkin' about Jesus
And how our lives could be from now on
While papa bought a used tire in Columbus
Mama rocked the baby 'til all its tears were gone

She said, "Your papa is a good man and don't you kids forget it
The whiskey's tryin' to ruin him, but I know the Lord won't let it"
Then we sang Amazing Grace and bringing in the sheaves
Rock of ages, rock of ages cleft for me

I guess we should have known papa never could quit drinking
The whiskey had too much of a hold on him
But he loved us, and he did the best he could
And every time our world would fall all around us
Mama packed everything we owned into some old car
And we'd start out for some new town

She said, "Your papa is a good man and don't you kids forget it
The whiskey's tryin' to ruin him, but I know the Lord won't let it"
Then we sang Amazing Grace and bringing in the sheaves
Rock of ages, rock of ages cleft for me