I got a job, but it ain't nearly enough
A twenty thousand dollar pickup truck
Belongs to me and the bank and some funny-talkin' man from Iran
I left the service, got a G.I. loan
I got married, bought myself a home
Now I hang around this one-horse town and do the best that I can

It's gettin' tough
Just my luck
I was born in the land of plenty
Now there ain't enough
Gettin' cold
I've been told
Nowadays it just don't pay
To be a good ol' boy

Been goin' nowhere down a one-way track
I'd kill to leave it, but ain't no turnin' back
Got the wife and the kids and what would everybody say?
My brother's standin' on a welfare line
And any minute now, I might get mine
Meanwhile it's the I.R.S. and the devil to pay

Gettin' tough
Just my luck
I was born in the land of plenty
Now there ain't enough
Gettin' cold
I've been told
Nowadays it just don't pay
To be a good ol' boy
I hit the beer joint every Friday night
Spend a little money lookin' for a fight
It don't matter if I lose or win
'Cause Monday I'm back on the losin' end again

Gettin' tough
It's just my luck
I was born in the land of plenty now there ain't enough
It's gettin' cold
I've been told
Nowadays it just don't pay to be a good ol' boy

Gettin' tough
Just my luck
I was born in the land of plenty now there ain't enough
Gettin' cold
I've been told
Nowadays it just don't pay to be a good ol' boy