How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?

Blind Alfred Reed

Originale

La versione di Bruce Springsteen, da “We Shall Overcome: The...

HOW CAN A POOR MAN STAND SUCH TIMES AND LIVE? There once was a time when everything was cheap, But now prices nearly puts a man to sleep. When we pay our grocery bill, We just feel like making our will -- I remember when dry goods were cheap as dirt, We could take two bits and buy a dandy shirt. Now we pay three bucks or more, Maybe get a shirt that another man wore -- Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live? Well, I used to trade with a man by the name of Gray, Flour was fifty cents for a twenty-four pound bag. Now it's a dollar and a half beside, Just like a-skinning off a flea for the hide -- Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live? Oh, the schools we have today ain't worth a cent, But they see to it that every child is sent. If we don't send everyday, We have a heavy fine to pay -- Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live? Prohibition's good if 'tis conducted right, There's no sense in shooting a man 'til he shows flight. Officers kill without a cause, They complain about funny laws -- Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live? Most all preachers preach for gold and not for souls, That's what keeps a poor man always in a hole. We can hardly get our breath, Taxed and schooled and preached to death -- Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live? Oh, it's time for every man to be awake, We pay fifty cents a pound when we ask for steak. When we get our package home, A little wad of paper with gristle and a bone -- Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live? Well, the doctor comes around with a face all bright, And he says in a little while you'll be all right. 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?

HOW CAN A POOR MAN STAND SUCH TIMES AND LIVE Well the doctor comes 'round here with his face all bright And he says "in a little while you'll be alright" 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 "Me and my old school pals had some mighty high times down 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 Go ahead! Got family scattered from Texas all the way to Baltimore Yeah and 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 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