here boy:

there's a reward in it for you

if you go home

today

--

make your mama proud

make your daddy nod his head

like real slow, like he

recognizes you for who you are.

make the windows shake with

stompin on the floor and raise

the nails right out the floorboards

--

here boy:

there's a reward in it for you

if you leave home

today

--

make your mama cough real hard

and turn away to make strong tea

make your daddy nod his head

like real sharp, like he

notices you for what you are.

the beds make themselves while

you're gone cause you aren't around

to make them yourself

--

here boy:

there's a reward in it for you