Curtis Mayfield — Mr. Welfare Man

[Intro, repeat x3] Welfare [Verse: 1] A hard sacrifice I wanna testify, staying a loving man Society gave me no choice, tried to silence my voice Put my woman on the welfare I'm so tired, I'm so tired of trying to prove My equal rights Though I've made some mistakes For goodness sakes Why you gonna keep messing up my life? [Chorus] Keep away from me, Mr. Welfare Keep away from me, keep away, keep away Mr. Welfare Ohhh [Verse: 2] Holding me back, using your tax To make me kneel against my will That's how it go Why, I don't know, I don't believe This life's for real Like the private eye for the FBI Just as envious as the Klu Klux Klan Though I'm a passing fate And I'm trying to escape I got to do what I think I can [Chorus] Keep away from me, Mr. Welfare Didn't you hear me, don't come near me, babe Mr. Welfare, Mr. Welfare They wanna say I'm a lazy man But you got to understand There's a thing about my pride You can't make me move If there ain't no groove Because it eats me all up inside [Interlude, repeat x2] Welfare Just another day, trying to make a way All I see outside of me is crime What can I do to make it through Ain't gonna say nobody's crying I got a woman, true And a baby too With a love that grows and grows and grows Here come the bills, there go the thrills And a job, all doors are closed [Chorus] Keep away from me, Mr. Welfare Mr. Welfare, Mr. Welfare Keep away from me, Mr. Welfare man They wanna say I'm a lazy man But you got to understand There's a thing about my pride You can't make me move If there ain't no groove Because it eats me all up inside [Interlude, repeat] Welfare Hey, hey, hey!