"The Family" lyrics - TONY JOE WHITE

The weevils took the cotton and cows all took to dry
What the varmints left behind, the sun took up to drying
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, handy
Heaven, help the tie that binds a family

Sister took to walking, and brother took to crack
Momma took up with newfound friends, and I took up with crime
Hatred took the nighttime and the government took the day
Can't find no hands at the harvest time and the hens refuse to lay

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

Flowers took to daddy and daddy, took to gone
Sister took to black real nights and mama cried alone
Brother, he took up preaching and the bank man took the farm
The state came in and took my mama away, and she couldn't do herself no harm

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