Mama been laid off Papa been laid off Billy can't get a job Don't let them stay home and listen to the blues My brother's been laid off For more than two years now Ooh can't get a job Ooh they gotta listen to the blues Help them to strive

(Why?, why?, why?) Mama been laid off Papa been laid off Billy can't get a job Don't let them stay home and listen to the blues (Why?, why?) My brother's been laid off For more than two years now Oh, can't get a job