Hungry little baby on a cold hard floor
Cryin' for milk, but there ain't no more
We can't get credit at the grocery store
But that's how it is when you're poor

Cry tears, little baby, for the future in store
A life of trouble for a child born poor
Slave all your life, not knowin' what for
But that's how it is when you're poor

There's not enough money to go to school
I can't afford the clothes to fit the social fools
Lord, forgive me when I curse the rules
But that's how it is when you're poor

Gotta work hard, for there's bills to be paid
Sixteen hours, there's a livin' to be made
Never get ahead, just livin' day to day
That's how it is when you're poor

Hard work buried in the back of my mind
Don't have much money, but we've got a lotta time
We spend time doing nothin' but tryin'
But that's how it is when you're poor

Old house needs fixin', but that'll have to wait
I dream about the life that could be real great
I hope it's not long more, it'll be too late
But that's how it is when you're poor