Story Behind The Song

This song tells us it's o.k. to be uncomplicated like Papa Henry, who doesn't have a care in the world, and takes pleasure in the simple joys of life.

Song Description

this musical adaptation of a newspaper account espouses the virtue of simple living

Lyrics

IN A ONE HORSE GEORGIA TOWN OUTSIDE OLD ATLANTA
PAPA HENRY LIKED SLEEPIN' IN HIS BESSIE'S ARMS ALL NIGHT
AND WITH THE DAYLIGHT SHININ' ON THEIR SHANTY-TOWN HOME
DOWN IN THE HOLLOW WHERE THE FLOOD WATERS ROAM,
THEY MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO JUST GET BY,
CATCH A COUPLE FISH WHEN THE RIVER OBLIGE

I GO WITH THE FLOW, ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES
IT'S A REAL GOOD LIFE IF YOU TAKE THINGS AS THEY COME
SITTIN' IN MY YARD ON A HICKORY LOG
SIPPIN' GOOD WHISKY WITH MY ROOSTER AND DOG
HUMMIN' A HOME BOY BLUESY TUNE ON A WARM GEORGIA AFTERNOON

I FEEL GOOD, NOT A PAIN
JUST A LITTLE LAZY, BUT I'M STILL GAME
I FEEL STRONG, I'M STAYIN' ALIVE FOR A WHILE

MY BES HAS THE SWEETEST SMILE THIS SIDE OF TENNESSEE
I'M THE LUCKIEST MAN IN THE HUMAN RACE I KNOW
LOVE EVERYBODY AND I DON'T DESPAIR
GIVE MY PEOPLE TENDER LOVIN' CARE
EAT A LITTLE, GET PLENTY OF REST
TOMORROW COMES, I JUST GIVE IT MY BEST

IF WHATEVER YOU DO FEELS NATURAL, MAYBE IT'S RIGHT
THERE'S AN ART TO LIVIN' ONE DAY AT A TIME
PAPA HENRY HE WROTE THE BOOK ABOUT
HOW TO BE HAPPY JUST SLINGING A HOOK
A SIMPLE MAN WITH A SPECIAL CONDITION
HAPPY HE'S ALIVE AND READY TO GO FISHIN'

I FEEL STRONG, I'M STAYIN' ALIVE FOR AWHILE
I FEEL GOOD NOT A PAIN, JUST A LITTLE LAZY
BUT I'M STILL GAME