原作由Blind Alfred Reed發表於1929年
Reed創作這首歌時正是大蕭條的時代
這場至今成因不明的經濟災難
使美國人第一次發現
自由經濟市場那隻看不見的手並沒有想像中那麼神奇
人們面臨高漲的物價、被迫失業、社會動盪、甚至徘徊在內戰的邊緣
美國社會像搭上地獄直達車般失速下墜
在絕望的陰影底下
「如何撐下去、活下來?」是人們每天都要被迫面對的問題
正是這樣的時代背景
Reed唱出了這首聖樂般的歌曲
和今日許多無病呻吟的流行歌不同
它最寶貴之處就在於它真實地反映了時代的故事、以及創作人內心真切的情感
歷史雖不會重覆
卻經常換湯不換藥偷偷山寨上演
雖然主角龍套都換了人
劇情也約略不同
但聰明的觀眾總看得出來
前後戲路好像有著驚人的相似
Ry Cooder在1970唱紅了這首歌
三年後發生了石油危機
2011年 世界正試圖從金融海嘯中恢復過來的今天
聽著這首歌讓人感觸很深
這世界生產的糧食原本足夠餵飽所有人
每天卻仍有人死於飢餓
幾次的經濟災難再將底層百姓的生活推向崖邊
興，百姓苦!亂，百姓更苦!
Blind Alfred Reed版本的全歌詞
There was once a time when everything was cheap
But now prices almost puts a man to sleep
When we pay our grocery bill
We just feel like making our will
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live
I remember when dry goods were cheap as dirt
We could take two bits and buy a dandy shirt
Now we pay three bucks or more
Maybe get a shirt that another man wore
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live
Well I used to trade with a man by the name of Gray
Flour was fifty cents for a twenty-four pound bag
Now it's a dollar and a half beside
Just like a skinning off a flea for the hide
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live
Oh the schools we have today ain't worth a cent
But they see to it that every child is sent
If we don't send everyday
We have a heavy fine to pay
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live
Prohibition's good if 'tis conducted right
There's no sense in shooting a man 'til he shows flight
Officers kill without a cause
They complain about funny laws
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live
Most our preachers preach for gold and not for souls
That's what keeps a poor man always in a hole
We can hardly get our breath
Taxed and schooled and preached to death
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live
Oh it's time for every man to be awake
We pay fifty cents a pound when we ask for steak
When we get our package home
A little wad of paper with gristle and a bone
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live
Well the doctor comes around with a face all bright
And he says in a little while you'll be all right
All he gives is a humbug pill
A dose of dope and a great big bill
Tell me how can a poor man stand such times and live
