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