Now you're lookin' at a man that's gettin' kind-a mad   I had lot's of luck but it's all been bad   No matter how I struggle and strive   I'll never get out of this world alive      My fishin' pole's broke the creek is full of sand   My woman run away with another man   No matter how I struggle and strive   I'll never get out of this world alive      A distant uncle passed away and left me quite a batch   And I was living high until that fatal day   A lawyer proved I wasn't born   I was only hatched      Everything's against me and it's got me down   If I jumped in the river, I would probably drown   No matter how I struggle and strive   I'll never get out of this world alive      These shabby shoes I'm wearin' all the time   Are full of holes and nails   And brother if I stepped on a worn out dime   I bet a nickel, I could tell you if it was heads or tails      I'm not gonna worry wrinkles in my brow   'Cause nothin's ever gonna be alright nohow   No matter how I struggle and strive   I'll never get out of this world alive