Mamma been laid off Pappa 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 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 home And listen to the blues Pappa been laid off Mamma 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 home And listen to the blues There's nothing sacred Breathing hatred We have to face it No one can take it And feel no pain Mamma been laid off Pappa 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 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, how that feels? To walk the streets With your head held high Oh Lord, have mercy Did you ever see a man break down? There's nothing sacred Breathing hatred We have to face it No one can take it And feel no pain Ooh, did you ever see a man break down?