How did a kid, born into poverty and dropping out of school by 10th grade, become the “Hillbilly Shakespeare” who wrote the most lucrative catalogue of songs in the genre to date?

Lyrics

It’s morning in Montgomery, wipe the sleep out of your eyes
Catfish are jumping, skillet cornbread on the rise
There’s a bible in the bedclothes in case of deadly sin
Turn the music for your Mama as she plays the Baptist hymns

It’s morning in Montgomery, hope the L&N’s on time
Hawking shoeshines for a nickel, sacks of peanuts for a dime
For 15 cents Ol’ Teetot shows you how to play the Blues
And Mama’s pinching pennies for shape-note singing school

But at night, you dream of Nashville
The honky-tonk neon lights
You’d trade a lifetime in Montgomery
For one Nashville Saturday night

It’s morning in Montgomery, slam the boarding house screen door
Mama knows you don’t waste time in high school any more
Dressed up just like Gene Autry on the movie matinée
By lunchtime you’ll be busking outside WFSA

But at night, you dream of Nashville
The Honky-Tonk neon lights
You’d trade a lifetime in Montgomery
For one Nashville Saturday night