The Great University of Hard Knocks

Out on the road with no place to call home

Wanderin' 'round, I'm in need of repair

And when people ask me where do I come from

I tell them the state of despair

The state of despair is a place I know well

And it seems to suit me just fine, thanks

And my wardrobe's a mess and my diet's shot to hell

I subside on cold beans and franks

Well, it seems like a waste that these big companies

Throw out all the things they don't need

There's enough there to furnish whole communities

Cardboard makes a fine house, indeed

Hey, the state of despair is a place I know well

And it seems to suit me just fine, thanks

And my wardrobe's a mess and my diet's shot to hell

I subside on cold beans and franks

I'm the man of the hour, surely all will agree

It's nothin' I need to repeat

And when my friends see me they drop to their knees

I found a hundred-dollar bill in the street

Hey, the state of despair is a place I know well

And it seems to suit me just fine, thanks

And my wardrobe's a mess and my diet's shot to hell

I subside on cold beans and franks

Well, some folks like whiskey and some folks like beer

But I've got a drink that's much greater

So let's bump our glasses and toast with good cheer

I got this straight from a car's radiator

Hey, the state of despair is a place I know well

And it seems to suit me just fine, thanks

And my wardrobe's a mess and my diet's shot to hell

I subside on cold beans and franks

Well, with no place to go you'd think I would be sad

Got no visible means of support

Now they're offerin' me charity and that makes me mad

'Cause I'm livin' like this just for sport

Hey, the state of despair is a place I know well

And it seems to suit me just fine, thanks

And my wardrobe's a mess and my diet's shot to hell

I subside on cold beans and franks

Subside on cold beans and franks

Subside on cold beans and franks