G                         D                       G
Well, the doctor comes 'round here with his face all bright
D
And he says "in a little while you'll be alright"
G                                       C                   Am
All he gives is a humbug pill, a dose of dope and a great big bill
G                      D                       C G C G C G C D
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?

G                                                           D
He says "me and my old school pals had some might high times down here
D
And what happened to you poor black folks, well it just ain't fair"
G                                            C                     Am
He took a look around gave a little pep talk, said "I'm with you" then he took a little walk
G                      D                       C G C G C G C D
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?

G                                                  D       G
There's bodies floatin' on Canal and the levees gone to Hell
D
Martha, get me my sixteen gauge and some dry shells
G
Them who's got got out of town
C                  Am
And them who ain't got left to drown
G                        D                        C   D G
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?

D                     G
I got family scattered from Texas all the way to Baltimore
D     C
And I ain't got no home in this world no more
G                                          C                           Am
Gonna be a judgment that's a fact, a righteous train rollin' down this track
G                      D                       C G C G C G C D
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?