“Poverty Stricken Blues” tells a tale of a hard-knock life marked by humble beginnings and persistent struggles. The narrator reflects on their birth in an old sod shack, setting the stage for a narrative of endurance and resilience. The repeated motif of “Seven” creates a rhythmic and symbolic pattern, representing the challenges faced over the years. The mention of roads full of stones and days and nights spent alone conveys a sense of isolation and hardship. The absence of a silver spoon and the reference to seven coins not being enough underline the theme of poverty and lack. The image of debts that “can’t be paid” and troubles that won’t fade emphasizes the enduring nature of adversity. The seven dimes wearing thin suggests financial strain and the constant struggle to make ends meet. Despite the hardships, there is a hint of hope in the seven hopes that rise, even if they all fall. The repeated rhythm of “Seven steps forward, eight steps back” encapsulates the cyclical nature of the struggle, with the narrator persevering until the end of time. “Poverty Stricken Blues” is a poignant reflection on the challenges of a life marked by poverty, symbolized by the recurring motif of seven and the indomitable spirit that keeps pushing forward despite setbacks.