Tobacco Road
Burdon Eric & War Lyrics

I was born in a bunk
I was born in a low-quality living space

My mother died and my daddy got drunk
My mother passed away, and as a result, my father turned to alcoholism

Left me here to die or grow
My father abandoned me and left me to fend for myself

In the middle of Tobacco Road
I grew up in a poverty-stricken area known as Tobacco Road

I grew up in a rusty shack
I lived in a dilapidated dwelling

All I ever opened was hangin' on my back
I carried all of my possessions with me wherever I went

Lord above knows how much I loathe
I despise my surroundings immensely

This mean old place called Tobacco Road
The area I grew up in is a cruel and harsh place known as Tobacco Road

But it's home, yes
Despite my distaste for my surroundings, Tobacco Road is the only place I can call home

The only life I've ever known
Tobacco Road is the only environment and lifestyle I have ever experienced

And the Lord knows how much I loathe
I hate Tobacco Road with every fiber of my being

I'm talking 'bout road
I am discussing the area known as Tobacco Road

Everybody's got some
Everyone has their own troubles and hardships to deal with

Everybody's got some
Everyone has their own troubles and hardships to deal with

Everybody be some
Everyone is affected by challenging circumstances at some point in their life

Everybody remember some
Everyone has memories of facing adversity

Well I'm gonna leave and get a job
I plan to leave Tobacco Road and find employment elsewhere

With the help and the grace from above
I will rely on divine intervention to help me leave Tobacco Road and achieve my goals

Bring me some dynamite and I'll give you a crane
If someone provides me with explosives, I will use them to demolish buildings and create a clean slate

And I'll blow it all up, tear it down, tear it down, start all over again
I am willing to completely destroy and rebuild my surroundings to create a better environment for myself and others

And I'll build me a town, people, I'll be proud to show
I want to construct a community that I can take pride in

And I'll keep the name, and I'll keep the name
I want to keep the name Tobacco Road despite completely transforming the area

Oh I despise and disapprove you
I hate and reject my current living situation

But I love you, 'cause you're my home, baby
Despite my dislike for Tobacco Road, it is still where I grew up and therefore holds sentimental value to me

Dirty 'n-a-filthy, dirty 'n-a-filthy
Tobacco Road is extremely unclean and unsanitary

But I love you, but I love
Despite its shortcomings, I still have an attachment and affection for Tobacco Road

'Cause you're my home
Tobacco Road is the only place I can call home

Take me home
I want to return to Tobacco Road, despite its flaws