A boy is born in Hardtime Mississippi
Surrounded by four walls that ain´t so pretty
His parents give him love and affection
To keep him strong, movin´ in the right direction
Living just enough, just enough for the city, Yeah

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

His sister´s black, but she is sho ´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

Her brother´s smart, he´s got more sense than many
His patience´s long, 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
Living just enough for the city