Once I was seven years old, my mama told me,
"Go make yourself some friends or you'll be lonely."
Once I was seven years old

It was a big big world, but we thought we were bigger
Pushing each other to the limits, we were learning quicker
By eleven smoking herb and drinking burning liquor
Never rich so we were made to make that steady figure

Once I was eleven years old. My daddy told me,
"Go get yourself a wife or you'll be lonely."
Once I was eleven years old

I always wanted to have that dream just like my mama before me
So I started writing songs, I started writing stories
Somethin' about that glory,
Just always seemed to bore me
'Cause only the ones I really love will ever really know me

Once I was twenty years old.
My story got told
Before the morning sun, when life was lonely
Once I was twenty years old

I only see my goals, I don't believe in failure
'Cause I know the smallest voices. They can make it major
I got my boys with me at least I know they're in my favor
And if we don't meet before I leave, I hope I'll see you later

Once I was twenty years old.
My story got told
I was writing about everything I saw before me
Once I was twenty years old

Soon we'll be thirty years old,
Our songs have been sold
We've traveled around the world and we're still roaming
Soon we'll be thirty years old

I'm still learning about life
My woman brought children for me
So I can sing them all my songs
And I can tell them stories
Most of my boys are with me
Some are still seeking glory
And some I had to leave behind
My brother I'm still sorry

Soon I'll be sixty years old,
My daddy got sixty-one
Remember life and then your life becomes a better one
I made a man so happy when I wrote a letter once
I hope my children come and visit once or twice a month

Soon I'll be sixty years old,
Will I think the world is cold
Or will I have a lot of children who can warm me?
Soon I'll be sixty years old

Soon I'll be sixty years old,
Will I think the world is cold
Or will I have a lot of children who can hold me?
Soon I'll be sixty years old

Once I was seven years old, my mama told me,
"Go get yourself some friends or you'll be lonely."
Once I was seven years old

Once I was seven years old