born in the mountains many years ago i climbed these hills and valleys through the rain and snow i ve seen the lightning flashin heard the thunder roll i ve endured i ve endured how long must one endure barefoot in the summer on into the fall too many mouths to feed they could not clothe us all sent to church on sunday to learn the golden rule i ve endured i ve endured how long must one endure i ve worked for the rich and i ve lived with the poor i ve seen many a heartaches and i ll see many more i ve lived loved and sorrowed been through success s door i ve endured i ve endured how long must one endure born in the mountains many years ago i climbed these hills and valleys through the rain and snow i ve seen the lightning flashin heard the thunder roll i ve endured i ve endured how long must one endure i ve endured i ve endured how long must one endure