Human Lottery

We bought into the promise of a better, greener day
That 7 years would buy us a piece of tomorrow’s dream
We took it all for granted we were always to be rich
We could own what we made but owe more than we make
So, brother, could you spare a dime
For a cup of coffee or a smoke to pass the time
While I’m waiting in this God-forsaken line
Of human lottery to shine, just shine
Used to be important in a white collar job
Used to make good money, now I’m lucky getting by
My wife is almost frantic, I’m too old for other work
If you can’t do something for me, I’m bound to kill myself
Brother, it’s not like me to ask
But I’m running short of everything
And nothing coming fast
When work is all I really need
From this God-forsaken line to shine, just shine
Mad with the impossible — out of chaos is our dream
Too heavy for wings — we will sink beneath its weight
If I could only use my head as a candle for the Holy Ghost
Sing for the corpses, «Happy Days Are Here Again»