Well, you're lookin' at a guy that's gettin' kinda mad   I had 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's broke, the creek is full of sand   My woman run away with another man   No matter how I struggle and strive   I'll never get out of this world alive      A distant uncle passed away, he left me quite a batch   Yes I was livin' high until that fatal day   A lawyer proved I wasn't born   I was only hatched      Everything's agin' me and it's got me down   If I jumped in the river I would probably drown   No matter how I struggle and strive   I'll never get out of this world alive      These shabby shoes I'm wearin' all   Are full of holes and nails   Yes and brother if I stepped on a worn out dime   I bet a nickel I could tell you if it's heads or tails      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      A distant uncle passed away, he left me quite a batch   And yes I was livin' high until that fatal day   A lawyer proved I wasn't born   I was only hatched      I'm not gonna worry wrinkles in my brow   'Cause nothing's ever gonna turn out alright now   No matter how I struggle and strive   I'll never get out of this world alive   I'll never get out of this world alive