Mama been laid off, Papa been laid off My brother's been laid off for more than two years now Can't get a job, really can't get a job 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 a life, help them to smile Don't let them stay home, them listen to the blues Papa been laid off, Mama been laid off Really 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 home, and listen to the blues There's nothing safer, than breathing play dry Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah We have to face it, 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 Can't get a job, really can't get a job 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 a life, help them to smile Don't let them stay home, them listen to the blues Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh Why, why 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? You know I have that feeling To walk that street With your head held high Why, why, why Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh All over, have mercy Do you ever see a man break down? There's nothing safer than hating hatred Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh Have to face it And take it Can't feel nothing Oh, do you ever see a man break down?