Poverty’s Paradise

Lyrics

[Verse 1] (Poverty's paradise) Hey, it seems to me like ever since I was a little child I've been starving I've never known anything but hunger (Poverty's paradise) I've been hungry all my life Yeah, starved to the bone Somewhere on this raggedy earth Somebody said something once About some kind of paradise Where everything would be nice (Poverty's) And together (Paradise) But I'll be damned if I can find it I've grown up into adulthood now And I don't seem to be able to find my way to anything Much less somebody's paradise (Poverty's paradise) One thing for sure I'd like to go to sleep just once on a full stomach I get mighty tired of these belly wrinkles, dig? And my babies I don't know what I'm gonna do about them I've run out of ways to keep them fed Used to be I could find a way when there wasn't any way (Poverty's paradise) [Bridge] Ever since my birth I've had no one to care Since my very first day on earth I've existed on welfare Shameful living's been my way Nameless giving's been my pay [Chorus] Poverty's paradise If you want it, you better think twice Poverty's paradise Who ever said it was nice? That human was a fool [Verse] A poor human's life is filled with woe No amount of foodstamps can ease sorrow This way of life demands no respect or dignity It commands only neglect and self pity Down life's long and lonely road Poor has been my one and only load [Chorus] Poverty's paradise If you want it, I say you better think twice Poverty's paradise Whoever said it was nice? That human was a fool (fool) [Verse] My living's been in vain My lowly life has known only pain If you can avoid this kind of misery Thank God you don't have to live like me Down life's long and lonely road Poor has been my one and only load [Chorus] Poverty's paradise If you want it, I say you better think twice Poverty's paradise Whoever said it was nice? That human was a fool [Verse] (Poverty's paradise) (Poverty's paradise) I don't think I could find a way to make it on this earth (Poverty, poverty's paradise) It's been one continuous delay Ever since my birth (Poverty's paradise) Hungry, Hungry, Hungry Lonely, lonely, lonely (Poverty's paradise) My love's been in doubt I've had to do without (Poverty's paradise) Only pain, only shame (Poverty's paradise) My babies look at me and cry All I could do is laugh I tell 'em, son, one day we'll be rich Daughter, oh, daughter (Poverty's paradise) No money to be found No money to be found (Poverty's paradise) Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, yes, yes (Poverty) That's what they tell me Liquidation and distress That's what they sell me Free speech, constitutional rights, ain't nowhere to be found (Poverty's) Only hunger and grind (Poverty's) Global fight after fight (Poverty's) Look around (Paradise) The president said, the president said, the president said "Don't worry, don't worry, don't worry, don't worry" But worry's all I know Hurt, hurt, hurt, hurt, hurt, hurt (Poverty) Hurt (Poverty) Hurt (Poverty) Hurt (Paradise) Poverty's paradise Whoever said it was nice? That human was a fool (Poverty's paradise) (Poverty's paradise)