I know what it's like, growing up poor 

I remember that night walking home from the store 

Stopping every few minutes, sitting down that jug 

Blowing on my hands trying to warm them up 

And seeing that other kid from my homeroom class 

In that nice warm car, as he rode past 

And our eyes meeting as they sometimes did 

Reading my name on his lips 



Kerosene kid, don't let 'em get you down 

Just hold your head up and be proud 

Kerosene kid, they don't understand 

Everything that we got is a gift 

Kerosene kid 



I get home with that jug 

Mama filled up the heater 

And those kerosene fumes filled up the trailer 

Got all over everything like a blanket of dust 

On the sheets, on the bed, on the carpet, and on us 

Next morning at school in yesterday's clothes 

Somebody be laughing, some girl be holding her nose 

I'd sit there embarrassed, my face turning red 

Getting at her telling myself 



Kerosene kid, don't let 'em get you down 

Just hold your head up and be proud 

Kerosene kid, they don't understand 

Everything that we got is a gift 

Kerosene kid 



Every day when I look in the mirror 

I can't say enough 

About the little man back in my memory 

That never gave up 



Kerosene kid, they didn't get you down 

You held your head up, you stood proud 

Kerosene kid, yeah you understand 

Everything that you got is a gift 



Kerosene kid, don't let them get you down 

Hold your head up and stay proud 

Kerosene kid, we'll all understand 

Everything that we got is a gift 

Kerosene kid 



Don't let 'em get you down 

Kerosene kid