I keep on tryin' to get ahead, I'm doin' the best I can   But every time I try to pull up   They pull me right back down again   You got me down now and I hope you're satisfied   Oh, it's so hard to try to keep my head up   Yes, when you're puttin' pressure on me   From every side, every side      Even Uncle Sam say   I owe a lot of money way back from nineteen fifty six   Now, how could I owe him anything   When that whole year I was sick   They won't let me make my money   Won't even let me buy my clothes   Oh, it's so hard to get something to eat   Yes, and now they want to throw me outdoors   Throw me outdoors      Yes, everybody's laughin' at me   I can see the joy in their eyes   They're glad because I'm down now   Just look at the Devils in disguise   And I have no-one to turn to   No-one to lend me a helpin' hand   Oh, I'm tellin' you, shakes has really got me now   Yes, I'm a lonely, lonely man