Capo 3rd fret 

         G                D              G
Well, the doctor comes 'round here with his face all bright  
                                 D
And he says "in a little while you'll be alright" 
      G                           C             Am
All he gives is a humbug pill, a dose of dope and a great big bill  
        G              D               C        D   G
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live? 
                                    D               G
He says "me and my old school pals had some might high times down here  
                                              D
And what happened to you poor black folks, well it just ain't fair"  
             G                              C                        Am
He took a look around gave a little pep talk, said "I'm with you" then he took a little walk 
        G               D              C       D   G
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live? 
                                 D          G
There's bodies floatin' on Canal and the levees gone to Hell  
                                   D
Martha, get me my sixteen gauge and some dry shells  
        G
Them who's got got out of town 
          C              Am
And them who ain't got left to drown  
       G               D              C      D G
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?  
                            D              G
I got family scattered from Texas all the way to Baltimore  
                                 D    C
And I ain't got no home in this world no more  
        G                             C                    Am
Gonna be a judgment that's a fact, a righteous train rollin' down this track  
        G               D              C     D G
Tell me, how can a poor man stand such times and live?