Mama she's working in the kitchen, but the pantry done run dry.
Thinking 'bout all those mouths to feed, and Mama just up and cry.
Daddy he's working in the field all day, but he can't get the whip to crack.
The man from the bank calling on the telephone said "I want my money back!"
 
We got them Poor Man Blues
Everybody got the Poor Man Blues
Whole world knows the Poor Man Blues
You can't do nothing about the Poor Man Blues
Good God, help me now!
 
Brother he up and robbed the liquor store, sheriff said he can't go back to town no more.
Gonna join the U.S.M.C. gonna fight the rich man's "Woah, now now now..."
Sister she been skimming off of Mama's pills and she's wishing she could sell what's left.
There's man downtown in a shiny black car got a debt he won't forget.
 
We got them Poor Man Blues
Everybody got the Poor Man Blues
Whole world knows the Poor Man Blues
You can't do nothing about the Poor Man Blues
Good God, help me now!
 
I'm out traveling town to town just trying to pay my dues.
I got a new guitar and beat up car.
It's a fast track for the Poor Man Blues,
I got 'em!
 
We got them Poor Man Blues
Everybody got the Poor Man Blues
Whole world knows the Poor Man Blues
You don't know nothing about the Poor Man Blues
Good God, help me now!