It's a mean black moan and it's lying front of my door
When I leave Chicago Lord I ain't coming back no more

Ninety men were laid off at the railroad shop
Ninety men were laid off at the railroad shop
And the strike in Chicago Lordy Lord it just won't stop

I'm tired of mean black moans friends lying front of my door
I'm tired of mean black moans friends lying front of my door
But when I leave Chicago Lord I ain't coming back here no more

There are a hundred men Lordy all around my bed
There are a hundred men Lordy all around my bed
I wish somebody might be able to kill the black moan dead

Every morning Lord rent man is at my door
Early Morning Baby rent man is at my door
And my man hasn't worked Lord in two or three weeks or more

It's all I can do Lord ah fight for my life
It's all I can do Lord ah fight for my life
But when the strike is over I will be all right

(Inaudible last verse)