Low Livin'

There's a man outside my window Totin' round his cardboard sign And everyday he sings his sad song "Buddy, can you spare a dime?" No no, I can't spare no nickel Well, I just can't spare a dime And I would love to spare some sympathy But I just ain't got the time Why can't you build a castle from the mud that you've been given? I'm too busy paying off the cost of my low livin' Someone handed me a clipboard Said, "Just sign here to save the Earth" Well I would love to give my two cents But we both know what that's worth I try to stay up on the issues I crack a paper now and then But, mister, just give me the Spark Notes I gotta be at work in ten Why can't you build a fortune from the pennies you've been given? I spent them all to cover the high cost of my low livin' It's a hopeless situation I was born into from the first And my only consolation Is someone somewhere's got it worse To keep my head above the water All I can do is swim in place I can't seem to gain no ground No, I ain't even in the race