Living In A Rich Man’s World Original Recording

From the Album Living In A Rich Man’s World and Doves With Claws

When I was a child
I was raised to believe.
My mother told me son,
“It’s good to practice humility.”
Now that I’m older, it’s compete.
Everybody wants me to play that game.
Lord knows I’m going crazy now.
I’m looking for a change.

Living in a rich man’s world

With the morning paper
in my hand.
With the headlines reading,
“We’ve got trouble across this land”.
With myself standing
I’ve got no income.
Riding on the L-Train
through the south Chicago slums.

Living in a rich man’s world

Staring out the window
and down at my feet.
Staring straight ahead of me.
Hoping my eyes don’t meet
somebody staring,
whose feeling the same as me.
Both scared to death,
afraid to stand up for what we believe.

Living in a rich man’s world

Lord knows I’ve traveled
across this whole country.
I’ve seen so many people,
who are feeling the same as me.
Chasing after that rainbow.
Looking for a pot of gold.
But every time I’ve gotten close to it
there’s a sign that reads, “Bought & sold.”

Living in a rich man’s world

Out on the horizon,
you know I can see
a time when my brothers
and my sisters will be free.
Free from persecution.
Free from poverty, too.
Free from a world where
children are born to lose.

Living in a rich man’s world

Words & music by Larry Long
Copyright Larry Long 1981; Renewed 2025 / BMI

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