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 out,
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 had that dream,
Like my daddy before me,
So I started writing songs,
I started writing stories,
Something about that glory,
Just always seemed to bore me,
'Cause only those 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 those in 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 will be thirty years old,
Our songs have been sold,
We've traveled around the world,
And we're still roaming,
Soon will 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 out 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 the 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.
(x2)

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.
Once I was seven years old.