Lyrics
I was raised up poor without no runnin water
I grew up in poverty without access to running water.
I dipped my bath out of the well behind my house
I fetched water for my bath from the well behind my house.
I spend most of my time by the ol Kentucky River
I spent most of my time near the old Kentucky River.
I'm as country as can be there ain't no doubt
I am very rural and grounded in country life.
I was raised up by a long haired southern hippie
My upbringing was influenced by a long-haired southern hippie.
And he learned me to be proud of my name
He taught me to take pride in my identity and heritage.
If I had the chance to get rich and make some money
Even if given the opportunity to become rich, I would choose to remain poor.
I'd stay as poor as hell my friend I'm not ashamed
I'm not ashamed of being poor; it's a source of pride.
Ya know I ain't ashamed
Reiterating that there is no shame in his humble background.
My daddy's done his own fair share of hard work
My father has worked hard, using a rock hammer all day.
Swingin his rock hammer all day beating on stones
He won't have a luxurious retirement or mansion, but he values family and home.
There ain't no retirement ain't gonna have no mansion
Reflecting on the lessons learned from the long-haired southern hippie.
By god he's got his family he's got his home
Expressing a commitment to staying true to one's roots even if wealth is within reach.
I was raised up by a long haired southern hippie
Emphasizing that there is no shame in his choices.
And he learned me to be proud of my name
Reiterating the importance of pride in one's identity.
And if I had the chance to get rich and make some money
Even with the chance to be wealthy, he would choose to remain poor.
I'd stay as poor as hell my friend I'm not ashamed
Stating once again that being poor is not a source of shame.
I can't be ashamed
Reaffirming the lack of shame in his situation.
Old man winter's made some hard times for my family
Describing the hardships faced by his family in harsh winter conditions.
We cut our own wood to feed the stove and make it through
They self-sustain by cutting wood for the stove to survive.
Don't worry bout no grocery store when you get hungry
They don't rely on grocery stores; instead, they gather food from the woods.
We just stalk up through the woods
Emphasizing the self-sufficiency and independence in providing for basic needs.
We kill our own damn food
Highlighting the raw reality of hunting for their own food.
Cuz I was raised up by a long haired southern hippie
Recalling the influence of the long-haired southern hippie in upbringing.
And he learned me to be proud of my name
Reiterating the importance of pride in one's identity.
And if I had the chance to get rich and make some money
Even if given the chance to be rich, he prefers to remain poor.
I'd stay as poor as hell my friend I'm not ashamed
Once again stating that being poor is not a source of shame.
No I ain't ashamed
Reaffirming the lack of shame in his situation.
I was raised up by a long haired southern hippie
Reiterating the influence of the long-haired southern hippie in upbringing.
And he learned me to be proud of my name
Emphasizing the importance of pride in one's identity.
And if I had the chance to get rich and make some money
Even with the chance to be wealthy, he would choose to remain poor.
I'd stay as poor as hell my friend I'm not ashamed
Stating once again that being poor is not a source of shame.
I'd stay as poor as hell my friend
Reiterating the commitment to staying poor without shame.
I ain't ashamed
Final affirmation that there is no shame in his choice to remain poor.
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