Mama been laid off
 
 Papa been laid off
 
 My brother's been laid off
 
 For more than two years now
 
 Ooh can't get a job
 
 Billy can't get a job
 
 Ooh they gotta listen to the blues
 
  
  Help them to strive
 
 Help them to move on
 
 Help them to have some future
 
 Help them to live long
 
 Help them to live life
 
 Help them to smile
 
 Don't let them stay home and listen to the blues
  
 
 Mama been laid off
 
 Papa been laid off
 
 Billy can't get a job
 
 For too long too long
 
 Don't let them lose
 
 We gotta give them a chance
 
 It's gonna come back on everyone
 
 If you don't make them dance
 
 Don't let them stay home and listen to the blues
  
 
 There's nothing sacred (why, why, why)
 
 Breathing hatred
 
 We have to face it (why, why, why)
 
 No one can take it
 
 And feel no pain
  
 
 Mama been laid off
 
 Papa been laid off
 
 My brother's been laid off
 
 For more than two years now
 
 Ooh can't get a job
 
 Billy can't get a job
 
 Ooh they gotta listen to the blues
  
 
 Help them to strive
 
 Help them to move on
 
 Help them to have some future
 
 Help them to live long
 
 Help them to live life
 
 Help them to smile
 
 Don't let them stay home and listen to the blues
  
 
 One day we're gonna wake up
 
 And the ghetto's all around
 
 All over my friend
 
 Have you ever seen a man break down
  
 
 Do you know how that feels
 
 To walk the street with your head held high
 
 Why, why, why
 
 Oh lord have mercy
 
 Did you ever see a man break down
  
 
 There's nothing sacred
 
 Breathing hatred
 
 We have to face it
 
 No-one can take it (how can they take that much)
 
 And feel no pain
  
 
 Oh, did you ever see a man break down