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