Standing in line, marking time Waiting for the welfare dime 'Cause they can't buy a job 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" That's just the way it is Some things will never change That's just the way it is Ah, but don't you believe them Said, "Hey, little boy, you can't go where the others go 'Cause you don't look like they do" 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" That's just the way it is Some things will never change That's just the way it is Ah, but don't you believe them Yeah (That's just the way it is) (That's just the way it is) 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 another's mind When all it sees at the hiring time Is the line on the color bar, no That's just the way it is Some things will never change That's just the way it is That's just the way it is, it is, it is, it is