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 at 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 at 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 at 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 held held high Why, why, why Oh Lord have mercy Did you ever see a man break down There's nothing sacred, why, why, why Breathing hatred We have to face it No-one can take it, how can they take that much And feel no pain Oooh, did you ever see a man break down