[Intro]

Times are hard

So very hard

I can't make it

Well, well, times are hard

So very hard

I can't take it

[Verse 1]

A-them bills, I just can't take anymore

(Say what?)

A-them bills, I can't even answer my door

(Is that right?)

You know my bills they seem to get so high

They wanna touch the sky

Here comes another through my letter box

Don't it make you wanna cry?

Well I'm tough, but the going is rough

Man I'm rough, but I've just had enough

[Chorus]

Now don't it make you wanna cry?

Hey, hey, now don't it make you wanna die?

Now don't it make you wanna cry?

Hey, hey, now don't it make you wanna die?

Here comes another

Another and another

Here comes another

Another and another

[Verse 2]

Now how can a man go to church and pray

When his belly's empty from day-to-day?

They say to live clean, stay on the scene

But it ain't no comfort to a hunger machine

"I make love, not war"

That's what the preacher said

But how can I love when my body won't stay?

My limbs are weak, and my woman's half-dead

Ain't got the strength to crawl into bed

Now I'm a loving man, don't you get me wrong

But the guys who make wars are all big and strong

They get bills too, they know what to do

They got the power to pass them to me and you

[Chorus]

Now don't it make you wanna cry?

Hey, hey, don't it make you wanna die?

Now don't it make you wanna cry?

Hey, hey, don't it make you wanna die?

[Bridge]

Here comes another

Another and another

Here comes another

Another and another and another

Hey brother, I wish you'd stop bellyaching about them bills

We all got 'em

Pull up your socks and do somethin' about 'em

[Verse 3]

Bills, bills, go away

Ain't got no money, so come on back another day

When I find me a job and earn some pay

Then you can knock on my door, 'til then please, stay away

Please, stay away

[Verse 4]

A year ago, I was a wealthy man

Then the power that be, he played his hand

The tax man came, he made his claim

I stated my case, he said "Now that's a shame"

So he took my house, and he took my car

Throws my assets in the bank, even took my guitar

When I protested, he's ruined my life

He said, "Be thankful I spared you your wife"

About being thankful, kinda hard to say

He mighta done me a favor had he took her away

See, she's the big spender that caused my plight

Now I'm down and out, she took [?]

Asked her reason, I was shocked as hell

She smiled and said, "I got goods to sell"

Ain't small-minded, I'm a man of the world

But I couldn't believe the words I heard

That woman's prepared to go and sell herself

While I'm still a big fool with them bills on the shelf

I found a good woman, my money's gone

All that is left in my head

Is this pain

And them bills

[Verse 5]

I got the gas bill, the grocery bill, electricity too

This mornin' little Johnny said, "Oh dad, I need some shoes"

There is the tax bill, the doctor bills

Good lord, what can I do?

Even the welfare who should be helping me out

Turned around and billed me too

Goddam

[Bridge]

(Times are hard, so very hard)

I can't take them bills (I can't make it)

Bills (Times are hard, so very hard)

Good lord, I'm walking on bills (I can't take it)

You know, them bills are getting very, very heavy (Times are hard, so very hard)

I can't answer my door (I can't make it)

I keep hiding under my bed

(Times are hard, so very hard) I'm looking for a little bit of help

(I can't take it) Help me somebody

Hey! You know the cost of living is so high (Times are hard, so very hard)

It's gon' cause me to die (I can't make it)

Them bills

Them low, out of order (Times are hard, so very hard)