Picture if you will a man in a dirty suit
He’s got ten food stamps left and a couple of bucks to boot
He’s walked all day and his feet are tired and sore
A little girl points his way and asks, "Mommy, is that man poor?"
And as he turns away he finally sees the sign
With an arrow pointing the way straight to the unemployment line
And he wonders if he’ll ever see a brighter day
Up from under his life was ripped away
And when it came to being a father
He did all that he could
He did his best to give his wife and son a home in a good neighborhood
Now all he has are blurry memories of his days of drinking whiskey and wine
And all intentions of getting help someday
As soon as he grows a spine
Somewhere down the line
Down the line
Picture if you will a boy in a crowded hall
He’s slipping through the lines
Nobody notices him at all
He’s pushed and shoved, a nameless face, does no one care
All they see is an awkward boy with sloppy hair
Walking home alone the kids all call him names
He’s scared to death to show his face at football games
And he wonders if he’ll ever see a brighter day
Up from under his pride’s been ripped away
And when they told him that dad was moving out
He said that he understood
Yet he wondered why they’d felt inclined to move to a rich neighborhood
Now all he has are his memories of the days when his family was fine
And all intentions of standing tall again
When the torment declines
Somewhere down the line
And they wonder if they’ll ever see a brighter day
Through toil and blunder
Their hope’s been ripped away
Now all they have are their memories of the days when their family was fine
And all intentions of getting close again
When their paths intertwine
Somewhere down the line
Down the line