The Family Tony Joe White

The weevils all took to cotton and cows all took to dry
But the varmints left behind, some took up to die
Trouble took to daddy like dew drops take to night
Mama took to cryin' a lot and daddy took to wine

And I took a train outta there
I told the engineer, I don't believe there's no help, maybe
Heaven, help the tie that binds a family
Heaven, help the tie that binds a family
Heaven, help the tie that binds a family

Flowers took to daddy and daddy, he took to calm
Sister took to black wheel nights and Mama cried alone
Brother, he took up preaching and the bank man took the farm
They came and took my mom away, she can't do herself no harm

And I took a train outta there
I told the engineer, I don't believe there's no help, maybe
Heaven, help the tie that binds a family
Heaven, help the tie that binds a family
Heaven, help the tie that binds a family

The weevils all took to cotton and cows all took to dry
But the varmints left behind, some took up to die
Trouble took to daddy like dew drops take to night
Mama took to cryin' a lot and daddy took to wine