The Way It Is

Standing in line marking time-
Waiting for the welfare dime
'Cause they can't buy a job
The man in the silk suit hurries by
As he catches the poor ladies' eyes
Just for fun he says "get a job"

CHORUS
That's just the way it is
Some things will never change
That's just the way it is
But don't you believe them

They say hey little boy you can't go
Where the others go
'Cause you don't look like they do
Said hey old man how can you stand
To think that way
Did you really think about it
Before you made the rules
He said, Son

CHORUS

Well they passed a law in '64
To give those who ain't got a little more
But it only goes so far
Because the law don't change another's mind
When all it sees at the hiring time
Is the line on the color bar

CHORUS

Jacob's Ladder

I met a fan dancer down in southside Birmingham
She was running from a fat man selling salvation in his hand
She said he's tryin' to save me
But I'm doin' alright, the best that I can
Just a pair of fallen angels tryin' to get through the night

Step by step, one by one, higher and higher
Step by step, one by one, climbing Jacob's ladder

Comin' over the airwaves the man says I'm overdue
Sing a song, send money, join the chosen few
But mister I'm not in a hurry, and I don't want to be like you
All I want from tomorrow is to get it better than today

Step by step, one by one, higher and higher
Step by step, one by one, climbing Jacob's ladder

All I want from tomorrow is to get it better than today
Step by step, one by one, higher and higher
Step by step, one by one, climbing Jacob's ladder