A dollar bill is easy to give
It takes a thousand for a place to live
Give me a nickel, pay me a dime
Oh brother don’t you waste my time

Cause it’s a hard way
a hard way to get by
I keep on walking
but sometimes I wonder why

Once had a lover, once had a home
Now I got nothing to call my own
I tell you sister and I tell you true
You must be kind ’cause it could happen to you

And it’s a hard way
a hard way to get by
I keep on walking
but sometimes I wonder why

Peppermint schnapps is my favorite treat
It helps to insulate me from the street
I play the Lottery — I plan to win —
I’ll buy a liter when my ship comes in

When I die and reach the Pearly Gate
I’m gonna find myself a heating grate
That’s the one thing for which I pray
Some place the cops can never chase me away

‘Cause it’s a hard way
a hard way to get by
I keep on trying
but sometimes I wonder why