A boy is born in hard time Mississippi
Surrounded by four walls that ain't so pretty
His parents give him love and affection
To keep him strong, moving in the right direction
Living just enough, just enough for the city, yeah

His father works some days for fourteen hours
And you can bet, he barely makes a dollar
His mother goes to scrub the floors for many
And you'd best believe, she hardly gets a penny
Living just enough, just enough for the city, yeah

His sister's black, but she is sure 'nough pretty
Her skirt is short, but Lord, her legs are sturdy
To walk to school, she's got to get up early
Her clothes are old, but never are they dirty
Living just enough, just enough for the city, yeah

Her brother's smart, he's got more sense than many
His patience's long, but soon he won't have any
To find a job is like a haystack needle
'Cause where he lives they don't use colored people
Living just enough, just enough for the city, yeah

His hair is long, his feet are hard and gritty
He spends his life walking the streets of New York City
He's almost dead from breathing in air pollution
He tried and fought, but to him there's no solution
Living just enough, just enough for the city, yeah

I hope you hear inside my voice of sorrow
And it motivates you to make a better tomorrow
This place is cruel, nowhere could be much colder
If we don't change, this world will soon be over
Living just enough, just enough for the city, yeah
Living just enough, just enough for the city
Living just enough, just enough for the city, yeah

Living just enough
Living for the city, just enough
Living for the city, just enough
Living for the city, just enough
Living for the city

Just enough for the city
Living just enough for the city
Living just enough
Living for the city, just enough
Living for the city