We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

The Poverty Line

from Roubles and Kopecks by Sam Steffen

/

lyrics

Chorus If I had a quarter for every time
Somebody told me to make up my mind
I would have enough money to be nickled and dimed
All the way back to the poverty line

They tell me I’m poor cause I don’t like to work
But I don’t see any rich folks with their hands in the dirt
Show me a job where I won’t get hurt
And I’ll show you a man who is eager to work

They tell me I’m poor cause I spend all my cash
I don’t have any savings, I can’t hoard a stash
I get paid twice a month, it goes up in a flash
Rent, groceries, insurance—well, you do the math
chorus

They say time is money and there’s plenty to earn
But you gotta have some to begin with, to burn
And the only lesson you’re able to learn
Is that you can’t get ahead by just waiting your turn

There’s a few of you up there who have all the best
Your fiercest competitors couldn’t keep you abreast
But some of us got nothing, most of us have less
It’s take care of yourself—to hell with the rest
chorus

you say communism like it’s a bad word
but capitalism ain’t the best one I’ve heard
when you stop and think rationally, it’s kind of absurd
you get richer and richer off the poor and conquered

cause your politics works like a revolving door
there’s a million rules and no one’s keeping score
the rich think they’ve earned what they won at the door
and what’s worse they believe that I choose to be poor
chorus

They tell me I’m poor because my investments aint wise
I could’ve made millions, only I never tried
But the distance from wealthy to here is too wide
I’m starting to think maybe somebody lied

Sure, I went to college, even got a degree
but it didn’t do a whole hell of a lot of good for me
education’s a blessing, but it sure isn’t free
now I’ll be payin it off til I’m 103
chorus

you can go back to work or you can go back to jail
but you don’t have the capital to get out on bail
and you don’t have the money for any more ale
and the ship you were waiting for just pulled up its sail

so I’ll hoist myself up and I’ll put on my hat
and I’ll just keep starving til I’m all out of fat
if my options tween living like a bug or a rat
well what in the hell kind of an option is that?
chorus

credits

from Roubles and Kopecks, released September 14, 2020

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Sam Steffen image

Sam Steffen Boise, Idaho

Sam Steffen is a Pennsylvania-bred, Boise-based singer-songwriter whose songs are the torch-wood for a new generation of folk music that has learned from the best stuff in the tradition and aims in spite of everything to keep the human spirit alive and kicking. A versatile musician and skilled finger-picker, Sam is at heart a story-teller, and a prolific one. ... more

contact / help

Contact Sam Steffen

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Sam Steffen, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring interviews with LA music scene pillar Kamasi Washington, and new London-based duo Mrcy.

listen now