Wake Up Charlie

Monday morning, crack of dawn, I'm already dressed

Grandma's making fried potatoes, wearing her Sunday best

She says, "Son, go wash your hands and fix yourself a plate

We got to go into town today, and you know we can't be late

Where's Charlie? We got to get him dressed and fed

Don't you tell me that boy is still in bed"

[chorus]

Bang on the door and wake up Charlie

Tell that boy to rise and shine

Bang on the door and wake up Charlie

The kettle's on, the sun is high, and we got to be at the jail by nine

Charlie's almost sixteen, but his age is hard to tell

His eyes have clouded over and his mind don't work too well

But I can still remember when his eyes were bright as stars

Maybe I'm only twelve, but I'm as tough as Charlie's scars

Hey Charlie, we got to get you dressed and fed

Grandma told me to get you out of your bed

[chorus]

I was barely seven the night it all came down

One of mama's boyfriends was knocking me around

Charlie tried to help and took it hard upside the head

Mama grabbed a shotgun and she killed that devil dead

Hey Charlie, won't you get up off the ground

Mama, can't you make him come around

[chorus]