Lyrics:

My daddy came a-marchin' over the hill at dawn
Had to make that wage, man, that's how we got along
My daddy's life was workin', workin' all day long
Put food on the table and the children sang a song, yes, the children sang a song.

My grandad's name was pulpwood, wore a coat of green
Took a wife in '31, drove the big machine
My daddy load the lumber, put it on the truck
Used to see him walkin' home on U.S. 41, that's right, U.S. 41.

Well, all my life's been workin' out the door and gone
Got to make that overtime keep us movin' on
Need a drink of water to get out of the sun
Burnin' up to make that wage on U.S. 41, that's right, U.S. 41.

The boss man owns the business, keeps it goin' strong
Be blowin' like a hurricane and work like nothin's wrong
We got to keep on movin' 'til the bell gone ring
Fill her up with kerosene and let that lady sing, oh now, let that lady sing.

His given name was Lucky, his wife's name Annie Brown
Run outside the law and they chased him right on down
Lucky faced the lawman, the captain drew his gun
They put him with a sling blade on U.S. 41, that's right, U.S. 41.

On U.S. 41.