How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live

Well, the doctor comes 'round here with his face all bright And he says "in a little while you'll be alright" 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 says "me and my old school pals had some might 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? 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? I got family scattered from Texas all the way to Baltimore 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?