There were two different songs entitled "Patches" that were recorded during the 1960s. The first "Patches" was sung by Dickey Lee in the early 1960s about a dead girl. Clarence Carter did an entirely different version about a father talking to his son later that decade.
Dicky Lee sang the song "Patches". "Patches" is a tragic ballad written in the 1960's. The song is known as a classic band song. It is not so much known by the younger generation, however many people still love the song today.
Patches, by Dunbar and Johnson, was sung by Clarence Carter, about a boy. Patches, by Kolber and Mann, was sung by Dickey Lee, about a girl. Take your pick...