HOW CAN A POR MAN STAND SUCH TIMES AND LIVE?

THERE WAS ONCE A TIME WHEN EVERTHING WAS CHEAP
BUT NOW PRICES NEARLY PUTS A MAN TO SLEEP
WHEN WE PAY OUR GROCERY BILL
WE JUST A'FEEL LIKE A'MAKING OUR WILL
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TELL ME HOW CAN POOR MAN STAND SUCH TIMES AND LIVE?
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I REMEMBER WHEN DRY GOODS WERE CHEAP AS DIRT
WE COULD TAKE TWO BITS AND BUY A DANDY SHIRT
NOW WE PAY THREE BUCKS OR MORE
MAYBE GET A SHIRT THAT ANOTHER MAN WORE

WELL I USE TO TRADE WITH A MAN BY THE NAME OF GRAY
FLOUR WAS 50 CENTS FOR A TWENTY-FOUR POUND BAG
NOW IT'S A DOLLAR AND A HALF BESIDE
JUST LIKE A'SKINNIN OFF A FLEA FOR THE HIDE

OH THE SCHOOLS WE HAVE TODAY AIN'T WORTH A CENT
BUT THEY SEE TO IT THAT EVERY CHILD IS SENT
IF WE DON'T SEND EVERY DAY
WE HAVE A HEAVY FINE TO PAY

PROHIBITION'S GOOD IF 'TIS CONDUCTED RIGHT
THERE'S NO SENSE IN SHOOTING A MAN TILL HE SHOWS FLIGHT
OFFICERS KILL WITHOUT A CAUSE
THEN COMPLAIN ABOUT FUNNY LAWS

MOST ALL PREACHERS PREACH FOR GOLD AND NOT FOR SOULS
THAT'S WHAT KEEPS A POOR MAN ALWAYS IN A HOLE
WE CAN'T HARDLY GET OUR BREATH
TAXED AND SCHOOLED AND PREACHED TO DEATH