Well, the doctor comes around
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?
There once was a time when everything was cheap
But now prices nearly put a man to sleep
When we get
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 death
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live?