A boy is born
in hard time
Mississippi
Surrounded by
four walls
that ain't so pretty
His parents give
him love
and affection
To keep him strong
move him in the
right direction
Living just enough
just enough
for the city... ah
His father works
some days
for fourteen hours
And you can bet
he barely makes
a dollar
His mother goes
to scrub the floors
for many
And you'd best believe
she hardly gets a penny
Living just enough
just enough
for the city...
yeah
Doo do-do doo
do-do-do-doo do-do
do do do doo
do-do doo
His sister's black
but she is sure
'nuff pretty
Her skirt is short
but Lord her legs
are sturdy
To walk to school
she's got to
get up early
Her clothes are old
but never
are they dirty
Living just enough
just enough
for the city...
yeah
Um hum
her brother's smart
he's got more sense
than many
His patience's worn
but soon he won't
have any
To find a job
is like a
haystack needle
'Cause where he lives
they don't use
coloured people
Living just enough
just enough
for the city.....
yeah
Doo do-do doo
do-do-do-doo do-do
do do do doo
do-do doo
Just living
for the city...
yeah
Just living
for the city...
yeah
Ooh eeh
just living
for the city...
Just living
for the city...
hey woah
Living for
the city...