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?