text: Well, the doctor comes round here with his face all bright
  And he says, In a little while youll be all right
  All he gives is a humbug pill, a dose of dope and a great big bill
  Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?
  He says, Me and my old school pals had some might high times round here
  And what happened to you poor black folks, well it just aint fair
  He took a look around, gave a little pep talk, said, Im with you then he took a little walk
  Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?
  Theres bodies floatin on Canal Street and the levees gone to hell
  Martha, get me my sixteen gauge and some dry shells
  Them whos got got out of town
  And them who aint got left to drown
  Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?
  I got family scattered from Texas all the way to Baltimore
  And I aint got no home in this world no more
  Gonna be a judgment thats a fact, a righteous train rollin down this track
  Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?