"Hardlytown" lyrics

It's cradle to the grave
So be good to each other
I try to be brave
Oh, Mama — I don't know
I'm as cold as ice
And I don't wanna do no favors

You can live your life like a prodigal son
A wandering ace
You ain't got no one
To roll the dice
Try and keep your hat on

People, get ready
There's a big ship coming
I felt the fire
Now it's down among us
I walked on wires
Tried to be humble

People, get ready
By now you know the deal
It's in high cotton
Or it's run like hell
No way to fake it
No way to get around it
Brother, you've found it
Down in Hardlytown

They'll say we'll understand it
Better some day
But who was it said that?
He never worked a day
He never worked an hour
Now they want to make him king
While you're breaking your back like a slave

So forward, children
Never back down
What used to hurt you
Can't hurt you now
The world feels broken —
I ain't joking, babe
Never back down

People, get ready
There's a big ship coming
I felt the fire
Now it's down among us
I've been a liar
Now I want to get honest

People, get ready
Thanks for coming round
You try to play quiet
But they drown you out
So you play a little louder
It's ten bucks an hour
You work like hell
Down in Hardlytown