[Verse 1]
A boy is born in hard time Mississippi
Surrounded by four walls that ain't so pretty
His parents give him love and affection
To keep him strong, moving in the right direction
Living just enough, just enough for the city

[Verse 2]
His father works some days for fourteen hours
And you can bet he barely makes a dollar
His mother goes to scrub the floors for many
And you'd best believe it, she hardly gets a penny
Living just enough, just enough for the city

[Chorus]
Da da da, da da da da
Da da da da la la la
Da da da da
Da da da la la

[Verse 3]
His sister's black, and she is sho' 'nuff pretty
Her skirt is short, but, Lord, her legs are sturdy
To walk to school, she's got to get up early
Her clothеs are old, but never arе they dirty
Living just enough, just enough for the city
[Verse 4]
Her brother's smart, he's got more sense than many
His patience's long, but soon he won't have any
To find a job is like a haystack needle
'Cause where he lives, they don't use colored people
Living just enough, just enough for the city (Yeah)

[Chorus]
Da da da, da da da da
Da da da da la la la
Da da da da
Da da da la la (Ow)

[Post-Chorus]
Living just enough for the city I live in
Living just enough for the city I live in
Living just enough for the city I live in
Living just enough for the city I live in
Living just enough for the city I live in
Living just enough for the city I live in
Living just enough for the city I live in
Living just enough, oh yeah yeah
Living just enough
Living just enough
Living just enough