Mad About The Way Things Are

From the Album Sweet Thunder

When they first arrived, cute boys and girls
Now they got pistols in their hands they love to twirl
They were never asked to come into this world
Mad about the way things are

Momma she’s been drinking; Poppa’s not at home
Only time they see them is when they’re drunk or stoned
Rich folks treat them like a dog without a bone
Mad about the way things are

Cockroaches on the ceiling; cockroaches on the floor
Cockroaches getting ready; nuclear war
Momma she’s been screaming at a cockroach on the floor
Mad about the way things are

Never known the country; never known the likes
Peace and quiet; always in a fight
Running from the man in the squad car at night
Mad about the way things are

Living in the projects; graffiti on the wall
Freedom of speech in the bathroom stall
Screaming for help; no one hears them call
Mad about the way things are

Listen to the President; listen to him talk
Listen long enough; go out on a walk
Steal another car after midnight in the dark
Mad about the way things are

Busting out the windows up and down the block
Got the neighborhood all tied up in locks
Looking at the future; future hocked
Mad about the way things are

Get a job at McDonalds; get a job at Burger King
Get a job pumping gas; buy a wedding ring
Watch your children go through the same thing
Mad about the way things are

Words & music by Larry Long
Copyright Larry Long 1987; Renewed 2025 | BMI

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