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       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 (why why why))   breathing hatred   We have to face it (why why why)   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 that feels   To walk the streets with your head held high   Why, why, why   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 (how can they take that much)   And feel no pain       Ooh did you ever see a man break down