A boy is born
In hard time Mississippi
Surrounded by four walls
That ain't so pretty

His parents give him
Love and affection
To keep him strong
Movin' in the right direction

Livin' just enough
Just enough for the city

His father works some days
For fourteen hours
And you can bet
He barely makes a dollar

His mother goes to scrub
The floors for many
And you'd best believe
She hardly gets a penny

Livin' just enough
Just enough for the city
His sister's black
But she is sho'nuff pretty
Her skirt is short
But Lord, her legs are sturdy

To walk, to school
She's got to get up early
Her clothes are old
But never are they dirty

Livin' just enough
Just enough for the city

Her brother's smart
He's got more sense than many
His patience's long
But soon he won't have any

To find a job
Is like a haystack needle
'Cause where he lives
They don't use black people

Living just enough
Just enough for the city
Livin' just enough
For the city
Livin' just enough
For the city

Livin' just enough
For the city
Livin' just enough
For the city

Livin' just enough
For the city
For the smokin' crowded city
Livin' for the city
For the city