I was workin real hard in a gravel yard   when I came across a silver coin   you know it wasn''t that much but I tried my luck because I''d had enough of being employed      Mama mama don''t worry long for me   I''m a man and I must find my way   mama mama can you tell Sue for me    If I stayed here I''d die in a working man''s grave      Well I was dead flat broke and that wasn''t no joke   ''cause I was swimming in a pile of debt   but I have to admit that when I up and quit   I pulled an iron shackle from my neck      Well it''s been some years and I''ve grown a beard    and I''ve taken to the life I lead   When I think of the past the thinkin'' doesn''t last   I have everything I ever need      When I turned to leave I heard the pit boss scream   "Son you know you''ll never return"   Well I didn''t say a word I just flipped him the bird   and that''s the last of me that he saw