Well, the doctor comes ´round here with his 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?

"Me n´ 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 ´head!

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?