Well the doctor comes 'round here with his face all bright And he says "in a little while you'll be alright" But all he gives is a humbug pill, a dose of dope and a great big bill Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live
He said "me and my old school pals had some mighty high times 'round here And what happened to you poor black folks, well it just ain't fair" He took a look around, gave a little pep talk, said "I'm with you" then he took a little walk Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live
There's bodies floatin' on Canal and the levees gone to Hell Martha, get me my sixteen gauge and some dry shells Them who's got got out of town and them who ain't got left to drown Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live
Come on boys!
Now I got family scattered from Texas to Baltimore Now mister I ain't got no home in this world no more Gonna be a judgment that's a fact, a righteous train rollin' down this track How can a poor man stand such times and live Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live