How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times - Ry Cooder

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?

Well there once was a time when everything was cheap

But now prices nearly puts 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?

Prohibition’s good if 'tis conducted right

There’s no sense in shooting a man 'til he shows flight

Officers kill without a cause

Then they complain about the funny laws

Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live?

(Additional stanzas in the original version:)

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?

Well, I used to trade with a man by the name of Gray

Flour was fifty cents for a twenty-four pound bag

Now it’s a dollar and a half beside

Just like a-skinning off a flea for the hide

Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live?

Oh, the schools we have today ain’t worth a cent

But they see to it that every child is sent

If we don’t send everyday

We have a heavy fine to pay

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?

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?

Songwriter: Alfred Reed