Capo 3rd fret

         G                D              G
Well, the doctor comes 'round here with his face all 
bright
                                 D
And he says "in a little while you'll be alright"
      G                           C             Am
All he gives is a humbug pill, a dose of dope and a 
great big bill
        G              D               C        D   G
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?
                                    D               G
He says "me and my old school pals had some might high 
times down here
                                              D
And what happened to you poor black folks, well it just
 ain't fair"
             G                              C          
He took a look around gave a little pep talk, said "I'm
              Am
 with you" then he took a little walk
        G               D              C       D   G
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?
                                 D          G
There's bodies floatin' on Canal and the levees gone to
 Hell
                                   D
Martha, get me my sixteen gauge and some dry shells
        G
Them who's got got out of town
          C              Am
And them who ain't got left to drown
       G               D              C      D G
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?
                            D              G
I got family scattered from Texas all the way to 
Baltimore
                                 D    C
And I ain't got no home in this world no more
        G                             C              
Gonna be a judgment that's a fact, a righteous train 
      Am
rollin' down this track
        G               D              C     D G
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?