Ry Cooder - How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live? lyrics

Well, the doctor comes around with a 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? There once was a time when everything was cheap But now prices nearly puts a man to sleep When we pay our grocery bill We just feel like making our will Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live? I remember when dry goods were cheap as dirt We could take two bits and buy a dandy shirt Now we pay ten bucks or more Maybe get a shirt that another man wore Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live? Oh, it's time for every man to be awake We pay fifty cents a pound when we ask for steak When we get our package home A little wad of paper with gristle and bone Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live? Most all preachers preach for gold and not for souls That's what keeps a poor man always in a hole We can hardly get our breath Taxed and schooled and preached to d**h Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live? (Additional stanzas in the original version:) Prohibition's good if 'tis conducted right There's no sense in shooting a man 'til he shows flight Officers k** without a cause They complain about funny laws Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live? Well, I used to trade with a man by the name of Gray Flour was fifty cents for a twenty-four pound bag Now it's a dollar and a half beside Just like a-skinning off a flea for the hide Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live? Oh, the schools we have today ain't worth a cent But they see to it that every child is sent If we don't send everyday We have a heavy fine to pay Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live? Songwriter: Alfred Reed