[Verse 1]
(Poverty's paradise)
Hey, it seems to me like ever since I was a little child
I've been starving
I've never known anything but hunger
(Poverty's paradise)
I've been hungry all my life
Yeah, starved to the bone
Somewhere on this raggedy earth
Somebody said something once
About some kind of paradise
Where everything would be nice
(Poverty's)
And together
(Paradise)
But I'll be damned if I can find it
I've grown up into adulthood now
And I don't seem to be able to find my way to anything
Much less somebody's paradise
(Poverty's paradise)
One thing for sure
I'd like to go to sleep just once on a full stomach
I get mighty tired of these belly wrinkles, dig?
And my babies
I don't know what I'm gonna do about them
I've run out of ways to keep them fed
Used to be I could find a way when there wasn't any way
(Poverty's paradise)
[Bridge]
Ever since my birth
I've had no one to care
Since my very first day on earth
I've existed on welfare
Shameful living's been my way
Nameless giving's been my pay

[Chorus]
Poverty's paradise
If you want it, you better think twice
Poverty's paradise
Who ever said it was nice?

That human was a fool

[Verse]
A poor human's life is filled with woe
No amount of foodstamps can ease sorrow
This way of life demands no respect or dignity
It commands only neglect and self pity
Down life's long and lonely road
Poor has been my one and only load

[Chorus]
Poverty's paradise
If you want it, I say you better think twice
Poverty's paradise
Whoever said it was nice?
That human was a fool (fool)

[Verse]
My living's been in vain
My lowly life has known only pain
If you can avoid this kind of misery
Thank God you don't have to live like me
Down life's long and lonely road
Poor has been my one and only load

[Chorus]
Poverty's paradise
If you want it, I say you better think twice
Poverty's paradise
Whoever said it was nice?

That human was a fool

[Verse]
(Poverty's paradise)
(Poverty's paradise)
I don't think I could find a way to make it on this earth
(Poverty, poverty's paradise)
It's been one continuous delay
Ever since my birth
(Poverty's paradise)
Hungry, Hungry, Hungry
Lonely, lonely, lonely
(Poverty's paradise)
My love's been in doubt
I've had to do without
(Poverty's paradise)
Only pain, only shame
(Poverty's paradise)
My babies look at me and cry
All I could do is laugh
I tell 'em, son, one day we'll be rich
Daughter, oh, daughter
(Poverty's paradise)
No money to be found
No money to be found
(Poverty's paradise)
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, yes, yes
(Poverty)
That's what they tell me
Liquidation and distress
That's what they sell me
Free speech, constitutional rights, ain't nowhere to be found
(Poverty's)
Only hunger and grind
(Poverty's)
Global fight after fight
(Poverty's)
Look around
(Paradise)
The president said, the president said, the president said
"Don't worry, don't worry, don't worry, don't worry"
But worry's all I know
Hurt, hurt, hurt, hurt, hurt, hurt
(Poverty)
Hurt
(Poverty)
Hurt
(Poverty)
Hurt
(Paradise)
Poverty's paradise
Whoever said it was nice?
That human was a fool
(Poverty's paradise)
(Poverty's paradise)