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