The Way It Is - Live

[Verse 1]

Standing in line, marking time

Waiting all day for the welfare dime

'Cause they can't buy a job

While the man in the silk suit hurries by

As he catches the poor old lady's eyes

Just for fun he says

"Get a job"

[Chorus]

That's just the way it is

Some things will never change

That's just the way it is

Oh, don't you believe it

[Verse 2]

He said

"Hey, little boy, you can't go where the others go

No, 'cause you don't look like they do"

I said

"Hey, old man, how can you stand to think that way?

Did you really think about it before you made the rules?"

He said, "Son

[Chorus]

That's just the way it is

Some things will never change

That's just the way it is

Oh, don't you believe it"

[Verse 3]

Well, they passed a law in '64

To give those who ain't got a little more

But it only goes so far

'Cause the law don't change and others might

When all it sees at the hiring time

Is the line on the colored bar

[Chorus]

That's just the way it is

Some things will never change

That's just the way it is