How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?
Blind Alfred Reed| La versione di Bill Adair | |
| 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 | HOW CAN A POOR MAN STAND SUCH TIMES AND LIVE? Well the preacher come round here with his face all bright. He told me in a little while it’ll be alright. But all he gave me was a humbug pill, A dose of pity and a great big bill, How can a poor man stand such times and live? He said he could remember when he used to play down there. What happened to you mining people well it’s just not fair. He took a look around and he breathed a sigh, He said what a shame men had to die, How can a poor man stand such times and live? There are women and children crying all round the square. Already some families are moving away from there. The mine won’t open like it did before, So there’s no work here anymore, How can a poor man stand such times and live? I got a brother in Australia who said I should go out there. But I know I’ll never feel settled down anywhere. I borrowed some money for to pay my way, But I’ll have nothing when I hit the bay How can a poor man stand such times and live? Now I’ve got some time left here before I go. My case is packed and sitting outside the door. I’ll get paid off on down the line, But till that time I’ll work the mine, How can a poor man stand such times and live? |
