[Verse 1]
Standing in line, marking time
Waiting all day for the welfare dime
'Cause they can't buy a job
While 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"

[Chorus]
That's just the way it is
Some things will never change
That's just the way it is
Oh, don't you believe it

[Verse 2]
He said
"Hey, little boy, you can't go where the others go
No, 'cause you don't look like they do"
I 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

[Chorus]
That's just the way it is
Some things will never change
That's just the way it is
Oh, don't you believe it"

[Verse 3]
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 and others might
When all it sees at the hiring time
Is the line on the colored bar

[Chorus]
That's just the way it is
Some things will never change
That's just the way it is