Capo 1 
 
           F 
Now you're lookin' at a man that's gettin' kinda mad 
 
I had lot's of luck but it's all been bad 
   C7 
No matter how I struggle and strive 
                                  F 
I'll never get out of this world alive 
 
My fishin' pole's broke the creek is full of sand 

My woman run away with another man 

No matter how I struggle and strive 

I'll never get out of this world alive. 
 

  Bb                            F                     F7 
A distant uncle passed away and left me quite a batch 
    Bb                                 Bb7 
And I was living high until that fatal day 
         C7 
A lawyer proved I wasn't born 
                     
I was only hatched 
 
Everything's agin' me and it's got me down 
If I jumped in the river I would probably drown 
No matter how I struggle and strive 
I'll never get out of this world alive 
 
These shabby shoes I'm wearin' all the time 
Are full of holes and nails 
And brother if I stepped on a worn out dime 
I bet a nickel I could tell you if it was heads or tails. 
 
I'm not gonna worry wrinkles in my brow 
'Cause nothin's ever gonna be alright no-how 
No matter how I struggle and strive 
I'll never get out of this world alive 
 
I could buy a Sunday suit and it would leave me broke 
If it had two pair of pants I would burn the coat 
No matter how I struggle and strive 
I'll never get out of this world alive. 
 
If it was rainin' gold I wouldn't stand a chance 
I wouldn't have a pocket in my patched up pants 
No matter how I struggle and strive 
I'll never get out of this world alive.