You fuck me up. I can't get down. You pick me up when I am down. I can not live without them. I do not live without them. They tell me to hurt myself. Let me see (let me see). How my life has been (taken).

(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

They don't wanna see me love you Wish I would go ahead and fuck my life up Can't let them get to me And even though I always fuck my life up Only I can mention me Revealing the layers to my soul Cause I'm from a tribe called check a hoe I been waiting

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