American Old Time Song Lyrics: 37 A Ragged Jacket

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 37

A RAGGED JACKET.

Although I am but a working man, I live by honest labor,
I always do the best I can to assist a needy neighbor;
Content in health, is all my wealth, with honesty to back it,
My motives pure, although I'm poor, I respect a ragged jacket.

Let people say whate'er they may of broadcloth and who wears it,
It's not the coat that makes the man, but the deeds through life that bears it;
So always help a fellow man, if assistance he should lack it.
Do him all the good you can, though he wears a ragged jacket.

All men were equally born at first, through this and every nation,
The rich among the poor would be, but, for wealth and education;
And when we're laid beneath the sod, with a hundred years to back it,
Who can tell which were the bones that wore the ragged jacket.