I keep on tryin' to get ahead, I'm doin' the best I can
But every time I try to pull up
They pull me right back down again
You got me down now and I hope you're satisfied
Oh, it's so hard to try to keep my head up
Yes, when you're puttin' pressure on me
From every side, every side

Even uncle sam say
I owe a lot of money way back from nineteen fifty six
Now, how could I owe him anything
When that whole year I was sick
They won't let me make my money
Won't even let me buy my clothes
Oh, it's so hard to get something to eat
Yes, and now they want to throw me outdoors
Throw me outdoors

Yes, everybody's laughin' at me
I can see the joy in their eyes
They're glad because I'm down now
Just look at the devils in disguise
And I have no-one to turn to
No-one to lend me a helpin' hand
Oh, I'm tellin' you, shakes has really got me now
Yes, I'm a lonely, lonely man