Hey Mister

Oh, listen

Everybody

I got an idea

I think we oughta write a letter to the Congress of the United States

And tell 'em what's on our minds

Because we're the richest country in the world

And I just can't understand why we got so many hungry people

You know

I believe we oughta say something like this

Hey mister

You better listen

Well, mister

You better listen

Mama got to wash the rich folk clothes

Just to keep the rent man from throwing us out the doors

Papa look for work with the morning sun

But tell me

How can you find a job when there just ain't none?

Now, hey legislation

If you can fix the nation

Huh

Why don't you open up your hearts and listen to this part

Wait a minute

A little child asked for bread with tears in his eyes

Mama said

"We ain't got none,"

And then they both cried

Don't you hear 'em? I said don't you hear 'em?

Damn it

Don't you hear 'em?

Well then

What the hell is wrong with you then?

Huh

Listen

The world need love

I know you admit it

What you're doin' to the poor man, huh

Lord knows you oughta quit it

How can he love you?

Tell me

How can smile

When back at home

There's a hungry little child

Hey legislation

Why don't you try a new route

Listen to the people, and hear what they talkin' 'bout

You see

The poor people know that they can't impeach you, oh no

They just hopin'

That their cries will reach you

Now don't you hear 'em?

I said don't you hear 'em?

Well then

I feel sorry for you if you don't

'Cause many singers before me have sung this song

Tryin' to remind you to right this wrong

But what I'm wondering

If you ever understand

That rich or poor

A man's still a man

Now

Hey legislation

When you start to fix the nation

Take a real good look at the present administration

And then stand up

Wave it goodbye

Find someone who can hear the people cry

Lord knows you oughta hear 'em

I ain't lyin'

You need to hear 'em, man

You better hear 'em

Somethin' might go wrong, you better hear 'em, oh

Hey mister

What you gon' do?

Hey

The people out here tryna talk to you

You know we need help and we ain't gonna wait

Now

Don't talk

Get to doin' before it's too late

You see

I understand foreign aid is well and good

But why don't you give some of that money to the neighborhood

Lord have mercy

Oh, can't keep living down here in mud

And I know you're sick and tired of looking at blood

Well, mister

You better listen

Yeah, oh, mister

You better listen

Oh mister

You better listen

Oh mister

You better listen to me

I'm tryna tell you somethin', man