Once I was seven years old my mama told me,
Go make yourself some friends or youll 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 youll 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 dont 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 dont meet before I leave I hope Ill see you later

Once I was twenty years old my story got told
I waswriting bout everything I saw before me
Once I was twenty years old

Soon well be thirty years old, our songs have been sold
Wevetraveled around the world and were still roaming
Soon well be thirty years old

Im 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 Im still sorry

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