Bruce Springsteen — How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live

[Verse 1] Well, the doctor comes 'round here with his 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? [Verse 2] "Me n' 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? [Verse 3] 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 'head! [Instrumental] [Verse 4] 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?