Author’s note: This is a song I wrote many years ago that was meant to cast a light on poverty, provide social commentary. Today I was unsure of the completion date, then I realized it didn’t matter. This problem is ongoing. A.S.
A MAN GETS up every morning, and he takes himself away
To a place he really never wanted to go to, but he has no choice.
His wife she does the very same thing… and she hates what she’s become…
And they’re not making it anyway…
And they have no one to blame…
No matter what they seem to do, they just can’t get ahead.
And his wife comes home and says there’s a baby on the way.
And his neighbor lets the bank take his house… because he just can’t pay no more
And he’s leaving town tomorrow… though he has nowhere to go.
Chorus:
Well the lines are getting wider every day
Between the people who are safe, and who are not
And the bitter taste of poverty so seldom goes away…
Most the time, it’s there to stay….
So the man gets himself another job, working late at night
‘Cause soon he’ll have another mouth to feed, so he has no choice
And he’s worried about his wife being home alone, but there’s nothing he can do…
So under his breath he says a little prayer…
And he cries himself a tear… and he works on… and on.
Chorus:
Well the lines are getting wider every day
Between the people who are safe, and who are not
And it may not be a tragedy, but surely is a shame
But to some, it’s just a game…
© 1992 Andrew Spradling
