Brother livin' in a cell, 

Doin' time in a county jail, 

Now you might think his life is hell, 

But he told me, first room he ever had to himself 

He's just, waitin' for the axe to fall, 

Sometimes lord I think that's all, 

When you're head is on a block 

ain't no way for it to stop 

You're just waitin' for the axe to fall. 



Brother served in Viet Nam, 

and found out no one gives a damn. 

Agent Orange fell on his camp (but everybody went deaf) 

Brother turned around on Uncle Sam. 

Waiting for the axe to fall; 

Sometimes, Lord I think that's all. 

When your head is in the noose 

and won't nobody turn you loose 

you're waiting for the axe to fall. 



Sister on the welfare line, 

Examining the threads of her life, 

She never thought she'd be cheatin' and lyin' 

Just makin' sure her and her kids survive 

It's gettin' tougher just, waitin' for the axe to fall 

Sometimes lord I think that's all 

When you're head is on the block 

and ain't nobody trying to stop 

You're just waitin' for the axe to fall 



Last night grandma should got shook 

'cause someone took her pocketbook 

She ain't safe in the neighborhood 

'cause too many youngin's up to no good 

They're just, waitin' for the axe to fall 

Sometimes lord I think that's all 

When your head is in the noose 

and won't nobody turn you loose 

You're waitin' for the axe to fall