Aw, when I was a little boy, mama, 'bout sixteen inches high When I was a little boy, baby, 'bout sixteen inches high I had a mean stepfather, Lord, he didn't want me to eat a bite I got a mean stepfather, now, know you got a-one, too I got a mean stepfather and I know you have one, too And my Mother's dead and gone, nothin' in the world that he will do Well, my Mother, she gone, and I hope she goin' to stay Well, my Mother, she gone, hoo, Lord, and I hope she goin' to stay I have mean stepfather, he done drove me 'way When I was a little boy, Lord, my stepfather didn't 'low me around When I was a little boy, mama, stepfather didn't 'low me around He's a no-good weed, mama, and the cows won't mow him down Well, poor Joe leavin' this mornin', my face is full of frowns Well, I'm leavin' this mornin', face is full of frowns I got a mean stepfather, my dear Mother, she don't 'low me around That's all right, may be home someday Ooo, Lord, Lord, mama, may be home someday My mean stepfather is gwine give me a place to lay I am, ma'am, a little boy, done cried all night long Hoo, Lord, I'm a little boy, I cried the whole night long My stepfather, he sweared, he done done me wrong And 'fore I be dogged, mama, I leave my happy home 'Fore I be dogged now, baby, I leave my happy home He's a no-good weed, well, he's done gone