Son of a preacher man
Charlie and the Bachelors Lyrics

I was a boy, I
When I was just a boy

I was a good little boy
I was a well-behaved child

Wantin' in the playground fun
Seeking enjoyment on the playground

They said ah na ney boy you can't play
I was rejected from playing with others

‘Cause you were born a poor man's son
Because of my low socioeconomic status

I met a girl, she was a pretty little girl
I later met a lovely girl

Would you be my only one
Asked if she would be my significant other

She said meet me where nobody can see
She requested a private meeting

‘Cause you were born a poor man's son
Due to my less privileged background

I spent all my lifetime
Throughout my life

Thinkin' what I coulda done
Regretting past choices

While I worked my fingers to the bone
While I toiled tirelessly

I met a man, he was a business man
Later, I encountered a businessman

I said I'm a hard workin' son of a gun
Told him that I was diligent

He said you know the rule
He then explained the norm

You should've stayed in school
Said that I should have pursued higher education

But you were born a poor man's son
However, my financial status prevented me

I met a guy, he was a crazy guy
Later met a reckless male

He said I'm goin' to get me some
He decided to take some illicit wealth

Let's go across the tracks where
Proposed a location to visit

They keep that jack
Where wealth is stored

All we need is a little back gun
Suggesting that a firearm is necessary for the theft

They got the hounds and they
We were then pursued by dogs and men

Tracked us down
Captured and apprehended us

They said we know what you have done
Those in authority had evidence of our misdeeds

You're gonna do the time it's gonna
Punishment will be administered

Fit the crime
In proportion to the offense

You shoulda shot a poor man's son (3x)
In comparison, killing a poor person would have had less severe repercussions