Bill Anderson – Po’ Folks

About the song

Bill Anderson’s “Po’ Folks”: A Country Classic

“Po’ Folks” is a song written and recorded by American country music singer-songwriter Bill Anderson. It was released as a single in June 1961 via Decca Records and became a major hit, reaching number nine on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. The song is a celebration of the poor and working class, and it has become a classic of country music.

Anderson wrote the song based on his own experiences growing up poor in rural Georgia. The song’s lyrics tell the story of a poor family who is struggling to make ends meet, but who are still proud of their heritage and their way of life. The song is full of vivid imagery and down-home humor, and it captures the essence of what it means to be poor in America.

“Po’ Folks” was a critical and commercial success upon its release. The song was praised for its honest and realistic portrayal of poverty, and it helped to establish Anderson as a major force in country music. The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, and Willie Nelson. It has also been featured in several films and television shows.

“Po’ Folks” is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences today. The song is a reminder that even in the midst of poverty, there is always hope and joy to be found. It is a powerful anthem for the working class, and it is a testament to the enduring power of country music.

Here are some of the key elements of the song:

The song is written in the first person from the perspective of a poor person.
The song celebrates the strength and resilience of poor people.
The song highlights the importance of family and community.
The song is set in the rural South.
The song is written in a simple, straightforward style.
The song uses vivid imagery and down-home humor.
The song is full of hope and optimism.

“Po’ Folks” is a significant song in the history of country music. It is a classic example of the genre’s ability to tell the stories of everyday people. The song is a powerful anthem for the working class, and it is a testament to the enduring power of country music.

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb8zTpyoRtw

Bill Anderson – Po' Folks (Audio) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb8zTpyoRtw)

Lyrics

There’s a whole lotta people lookin’ down their noses at me‘Cause I didn’t come from a wealthy familyThere was ten of us livin’ in a two room shackOn the banks of the river by the railroad track

We kept chickens in a pen in the back and everybody said we was po’ folksMy daddy was a farmer but all he ever raised was usDug a forty foot well struck thirty-six gallons of dustSalvation Army give us clothes to wear a man from the county came to cut our hair

We lived next door to a millionare but we wadn’t nothin’ but po’ folksWe was po’ folks livin’ in a rich folks world we sure was a hungry bunchIf the wolf had ever come to our front door he’d’ve had to brought a picnic lunchMy grandaddy’s pension was a dollar and thirty-three cents

That was ten dollar less than the landlord wanted for rentThe landlord’s letters got nasty indeed he wrote get out but pa couldn’t readAnd we was too broke to even pay heed but that’s how it is when you’re po’ folks

We was po’ folks livin’ in a rich folks world we sure was a hungry bunchIf the wolf had ever come to our front door he’d’ve had to brought a picnic lunchBut we had something in our house money can’t buyKept us warm in the winter cool when the sun was high

For whenever we didn’t have food enough and the howlin’ winds would get pretty roughWe patched the cracks and set the table with love‘Cause that’s what you do when you’re po’ folks and we wadn’t nothin’ but po’ folksMy mom and my dad was po’ folks my brother and my sister was po’ folks

My dog and my cat was po’ folks and even the po’ folks was po’ folks

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