Well, the doctor comes 'round here with his face so bright
And he says, "In a little while you'll be all right"
But 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?

He said, "Me and my old school pals had some mighty high times right 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?

There's bodies floating on Canal and the levee's blown to Hell
Martha, get me my sixteen gauge and some dry shells
Them who've got got out of town, them who ain't got left to drown
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live?

I got family scattered from Texas all the way to Baltimore
Mister, I ain't got no home in this world no more
Gonna be a judgment, that's a fact, a righteous train rolling down this track
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?