there once was a time when everything was cheap but now prices nearly puts a man to sleep when we pay our grocery bill we just feel like makin our will tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live i remember when dry goods were cheap as dirt we could take two bits and buy a dandy shirt now we pay three bucks or more maybe get a shirt that another man wore tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live well i used to trade with a man by the name of gray flour was fifty cents for a twenty four pound bag now it s a dollar and a half beside just like a skinnin off a flea for the hide tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live oh the schools we have today ain t worth a cent but they see to it that every child is sent if we don t send everyday we have a heavy fine to pay tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live prohibition s good if tis conducted right there s no sense in shootin a man til he shows flight officers kill without a cause then complain about funny laws tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live most all preachers preach for gold and not for souls that s what keeps a poor man always in a hole we can hardly get our breath taxed and schooled and preached to death tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live oh it s time for every man to be awake we pay fifty cents a pound when we ask for steak when we get our package home a little wad of paper with gristle and a bone tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live well the doctor comes around with a face all bright and he says in a little while you ll be all right all he gives is a humbug pill a dose of dope and a great big bill tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live 