[Verse 1]
It's cradle to the grave, so be good to each other
And try to be brave
Oh, Mama, I don't know
I'm as cold as ice and I don't wanna do no favors
You can live your life like a prodigal son
A wandering ace, you ain't got no one
To roll the dice
Try and keep your hat on

[Chorus 1]
People get ready, there's a big ship coming
I felt the fire, now it's down among us
Walked on wires, tried to be humble
People get ready, now you know the deal
It's in high cotton or it's run like Hell
No way to fake it
No way to get around it
Brother, you found it
Down in Hardlytown
Now they do ya

[Verse 2]
They say we'll understand it better some day
Aw, who was it said that?
They never worked a day
They never worked an hour
They want to make him king
While you're breaking your back like a slave
So forward, children—never back down
What used to hurt you can't hurt you now
The world feels broken, I ain't joking, babe
Never back down
[Chorus 2]
People get ready, there's a big ship coming
I felt the fire, now it's down among us
I've been a liar, I wanna get honest
People get ready, thanks for coming 'round
You try to play quiet but they drown you out
You play a little louder, it's ten bucks an hour
You work like Hell
Down in Hardlytown
Now they do ya