You and mother would cry When dad went away Selling his watches and chains He'd be gone for a while Weeks at a time The neighbors all started to say You and your mother should not disagree That he's wasting away Wasting, wasting away All his morals, his theology Have been left to decay Left to, left to decay Where's your fruit? Where's your meat? Where's your bread? Have you eaten today? Have you eaten today? Then your mother'd say pay them no heed They don't know what they say They don't know what they say Then your father'd come home All of your doubts Questions and worries were gone Yet, soon so was he And in the house 'cross the street The rumors and lies they went on You and your mother should not disagree That he's wasting away Wasting, wasting away All his morals, his theology Have been left to decay Left to, left to decay Where's your fruit? Where's your meat? Where's your bread? Have you eaten today? Have you eaten today? Then your mother'd say pay them no heed They don't know what they say They don't know what they say So get in your bible and read The passages written for thee So rumors don't set in as truth So your neighbors lies don't get to you You and your mom shouldn't cry For dad will be home in due time He has only left to provide A meal and a roof to stay dry