On the day you rattled up the line to work my family's land
Mama caught us smilin' as she took me by the hand.
She said "What your young heart sees in him, I'll never understand. But it's a sorry life to live lovin' a sharecroppin' man."

His back is nearly broken by the time his day is through
And his dirty hands are empty when he brings them home to you.
So don't come runnin' back here when his soil turns to sand.
It's a sorry life to live lovin' a sharecroppin' man.

On a cold November eve'nin 'cross the bitter plains we ran
Far from that old shotgun and our copper weddin' bands.
And you whispered "Life without you girl, it's more than I can stand, but it's a sorry life to live lovin' a sharecroppin' man."

My back nearly broken by the time my day is through
And my dirty hands are empty when I bring them home to you.
So remember that I warned you when our soil turns to sand.
It's a sorry life to live lovin' a sharecroppin' man.

On our youngest daughter's finger sets a simple copper band.
Boy we worked last Summer's gone and asked her for her hand.
She said "Watchin' you and Daddy through the years, I understand
That I wanna live my life lovin' a sharecroppin' man."

He'd sooner break his back than break the promise made to you.
And his empty hands are dirty, but his heart is pure and true.
And the Good Lord guides His steady plow through soil or through sand.
The sweetest life to live's lovin' a sharecroppin' man.

Yeah the Good Lord guides His steady plow through soil or through sand.
The sweetest life to live's lovin' a sharecroppin' man.