Poor Man's Blues Lyrics

Bessie Smith

Mister Rich Man, Rich Man
Open up your heart and mind
Mister Rich Man, Rich Man
Open up your heart and mind
Give the poor man a chance
Help stop these hard, hard time

While you livin' in your mansion
You don't know what hard time means
While you livin' in your mansion
You don't know what hard time means
Oh, workin' man's wife is starvin'
Your wife is livin' like a queen

Please, listen to my pleadin'
'Cause I can't stand these hard time long
Oh, listen to my pleadin'

Can't stand these hard time long
They'll make an honest man do things
That you know is wrong

All man fought all the battles
All man would fight again today
All man fought all the battles
All man would fight again today
He would do anything you ask him
In the name of the U.S.A

Now the war is over
All man must live the same as you
Now the war is over
All man must live the same as you
If it wasn't for the poor man
Mister Rich Man what would you do?