The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Up every morning with the sun
I work all day till the evening comes
Blisters and corns all in my hands
Lord, have mercy on a working man
I guess I'm gonna die just like I'm living
In poverty
My pay goes down and my tax goes up
I drink my tea from a broken cup
Between my woman and Uncle Sam
I can't figure out whose fool I am
I guess I'm gonna die just like I'm living
In poverty
Oh Lord, it's so hard but it's fair
Everybody talks but nobody really cares, Lord
I can't save a dime, can't buy me one cent
I pay my bills, I can't pay my rent
The old lady's fussing and the kids are crying
They won't let me join the welfare line
I guess I'm gonna die just like I'm living
In poverty
They say there's one poverty
They say it's going around now
But all I need is people, oh Lord
They're trying to keep you down now, oh
Poverty, that's where I'm gonna stay now
Oh Lord, it seems that's where I'm gonna stay
I work all day till the evening comes
Blisters and corns all in my hands
Lord, have mercy on a working man
I guess I'm gonna die just like I'm living
In poverty
My pay goes down and my tax goes up
I drink my tea from a broken cup
Between my woman and Uncle Sam
I can't figure out whose fool I am
I guess I'm gonna die just like I'm living
In poverty
Oh Lord, it's so hard but it's fair
Everybody talks but nobody really cares, Lord
I can't save a dime, can't buy me one cent
I pay my bills, I can't pay my rent
The old lady's fussing and the kids are crying
They won't let me join the welfare line
I guess I'm gonna die just like I'm living
In poverty
They say there's one poverty
They say it's going around now
But all I need is people, oh Lord
They're trying to keep you down now, oh
Poverty, that's where I'm gonna stay now
Oh Lord, it seems that's where I'm gonna stay
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Poverty Lyrics as written by Pearl Woods Dave Clark
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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