After free form gospel piano Intro: | | Workin' real hard in the heart of the city Noonday sun feelin' hot and sweaty | Tryin' to make my pay tryin' to make my monthly rent Workin' real hard for the U S dollar Livin' real poor gonna make me holler I don't wanna live in the street like some folks do I was raised up on the corner in front of a grocery store Shinin' shoes with the daily news for two bits on the floor But given the chance I'd go back to the days of a simpler time Cause this ol' world's gone crazy and I'm about to lose my mind Workin' real hard in the heart of the city Noonday sun feelin' hot and sweaty | Tryin' to make my pay tryin' to make my monthly rent Workin' real hard for the U S dollar Livin' real poor gonna make me holler I don't wanna live in the street like some folks do My brother drives delivery right down on Dauphine Street Had a little house by the railroad track, kinda small but it was neat The police came and got him for robbin' a liquor store And even though he didn't do it they got what they came for Workin' real hard in the heart of the city Noonday sun feelin' hot and sweaty | Tryin' to make my pay tryin' to make my monthly rent Workin' real hard for the U S dollar Livin' real poor gonna make me holler I don't wanna live in the street like some folks do It's a poor man who's life is bittersweet Doesn't wanna lose that good thing that he's got But that same ol' government who pays you every week Will come and take your home away and put you in the street Drum Solo: | — | — | — | — | Pianos in: | | Horns in: | | (repeats) | | Sax Solo: | | | | Workin' real hard in the heart of the city Noonday sun feelin' hot and sweaty | Tryin' to make my pay tryin' to make my monthly rent Workin' real hard for the U S dollar Livin' real poor gonna make me holler I don't wanna live in the street like some folks do (repeat Chorus) Outro: | | | | Charted by Dexex