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Tuning: E A D G B E
Words & Music by (Blind) Alfred Reed Original version of song taken from recording at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtLNCmsJVFI There are many covers of this song, and manny variations on it. For a list of covers see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_Can_a_Poor_Man_Stand_Such_Times_and_Live%3F The original recording, and these chords, are in G. It is played at about 186bpm. [Intro] G G C G G D G N.C. [Verse 1]
There was Gonce a time when Deverything was Gcheap, But now prices almost puts a man to Dsleep. When we Gpay our grocery bill, We just Cfeel like making our Gwill Tell me how can a poor man Dstand such times and Glive?
[Verse 2]
I remember when dry Dgoods were cheap as Gdirt, We could take two bits and buy a dandy Dshirt. Now we Gpay three bucks or more, Maybe get a Cshirt that another man Gwore Tell me how can a poor man Dstand such times and Glive?
[Refrain] G D G G [Verse 3]
Well, I used to trade with a Dman by the name of GGray, Flour was fifty cents for a twenty-four pound Dbag. Now it's a Gdollar and a half beside, Just like Cskinning a flea for the Ghide Tell me how can a poor man Dstand such times and Glive?
[Verse 4]
Oh, the schools we have toDday ain't worth a Gcent, But they see to it that every child is Dsent. If we Gdon't send everyday, We have a Cheavy fine to Gpay Tell me how can a poor man Dstand such times and Glive?
[Refrain] G D G G [Verse 5]
Prohibition's good if D'tis conducted Gright, There's no sense in shooting a man 'til he shows Dflight. Officers Gkill without a cause, Then comCplain about funny Glaws Tell me how can a poor man Dstand such times and Glive?
[Verse 6]
Most all preachers preach for Ddough and not for Gsouls, That's what keeps a poor man always in a Dhole. We can Ghardly get our breath, Taxed and Cschooled and preached to Gdeath Tell me how can a poor man Dstand such times and Glive?
[Refrain] G D G G [Verse 7]
Oh, it's time for every Dman to be aGwake, We pay fifty cents a pound when we ask for Dsteak. When we Gget our package home, Got a little wad of Cpaper with gristle and Gbone Tell me how can a poor man Dstand such times and Glive?
[Verse 8]
Well, the doctor comes aDround with a face so Gbright, And he says in a little while you'll be alDright. All he Ggives is a humbug pill, Dose of Cdope and a great big Gbill Tell me how can a poor man Dstand such times and Glive?
[Outro] G D G