Now I've had a hard life, I been through two wives
And I've lived where the rats run wild
But now I'm much better and I'm writin' this letter
Just to tell you 'bout your baby child

So ma, I been busy and I know you've missed me
So I'm writin' this letter to you
I knows it's been ten years but save up those sad tears
Mama let me tell ya what's new

Look at me, I'm back on my feet
Pulled myself right outa the street
So glad to be back on my feet right now
I'm gettin' smiles from the people I meet

Wontcha tell me 'bout dad now? Is he still doin' bad now?
Workin' in the same drugstore, lookin' for praise now
Did he ever get that raise now
He's been waitin' twenty years for?

And poor brother Billy is he still so silly?
Livin' with that girl 'cross town
Livin' off her job, I still love that poor slob
Tell him someday I'll be round

Look at me, I'm back on my feet
Pulled myself right outa the street
So glad to be back on my feet right now
I'm gettin' smiles from the people I meet
So glad to be back on my feet

Well, I married this girl, she was a rich girl
Took her checkbook and a fountain pen
Wrote my name so fast now, knew my luck couldn't last now
I wrote myself three years in the pen

So I prayed to the Savior, got a year off for good behavior
Read the Bible so I'd understand
Now I'm workin' steady and I'm married to Betty
Doin' my best to be her good lovin' man

Mama so long, now I know I was wrong now
Not to write in such a long, long while
But I'll save some money and you won't think it's funny
If I put you and dad up in style

Look at me, I'm back on my feet
Pulled myself right outa the street
So glad to be back on my feet right now
I'm gettin' smiles from the people I meet
Don't have to worry 'bout nothin' to eat

Now doncha think it's kinda neat
Ya know I pulled myself right up by the seat of my pants
Look at me, I'm back on my feet