A boy is born
in Hotton, Mississippi
Surrounded by
four boys that ain't so pretty
His parents give him love and affection
To keep him strong,
moving in the right direction
Living just enough,
just enough for the city
His father works some days for 14 hours And you can bet
he barely makes a dollar
His mother goes to scrub the floors for many
And you best believe she hardly gets a penny
Living just enough,
just enough for the city
His sister's black,
but she is sure enough pretty
Her skirt is short,
but know the legs are sturdy
To walk to school,
she's got to get up early Her clothes are old,
but never are they dirty
Living just enough,
just enough for the city
Her father's smart,
he's got more sense than many
His patience glows,
but soon it won't happen To find a job
is like a haystack needle
Cause where he lives,
they don't use colored people
Living just enough,
just enough for the city
Living just enough for the city
Living just enough for the city Living just
enough for the city