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 ladies' eyes
Just for fun he says, "Get a job"
That's just the way it is
Some things will never change
But 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
But that's just the way it is
Ah, but don't you believe them"
Well, they passed a law in '64
To give those who ain't got a little more
But it only goes so far
Because the law don't change another's mind
When all it sees at the hiring time
Is the line on the color bar, no, no
That's just the way it is
And some things will never change
That's just the way it is
That's just the way it is, it is, it is
Thank you very much
That's the way it is
For all y'all listening
All around New York City
We thank you
For holding on through the night