Lyrics

[Verse 1 — Restrained, Rugged Baritone-Tenor]
Landlord knocked before my breakfast
Light bill waiting by the door
Truck needs two new tires
And that transmission slipped once more
My youngest needs some school shoes
My oldest needs graduation clothes
Every dollar knows my address
But none of them stay long enough
Baby walked in with a shopping bag
Said, “Look what I found downtown”
I saw that little receipt unfolding
And nearly laid my tired body down
[Pre-Chorus — Smoky Rise]
I work six days for Friday
By Saturday, Friday’s gone
Somebody keeps spending my money
Before that money gets home
[Chorus — Passionate Chest Voice]
My pockets can’t take no more
Every time I get ahead, trouble finds my door
The rent went up, the gas ain’t cheap
Everybody wants a piece of me
I’m working hard till my back gets sore
But my pockets can’t take no more
[Verse 2 — Behind-the-Beat Storytelling]
My woman said, “You need some pleasure
Come lay your worries next to mine”
I said, “That sounds mighty tempting
But pleasure don’t extend the deadline”
She reached beneath my work-shirt collar
Said, “A broke man still deserves some love”
Then she kissed me slow enough
To make me forget what I was worried of
But the telephone started ringing
That finance company called again
Nothing ruins grown-folks loving
Like a stranger asking when
[Pre-Chorus — Rising Emotion]
I’m tired of making arrangements
Tired of promising next week
A man can keep his pride together
While the pressure makes him weak
[Chorus — Rougher with Background Harmonies]
My pockets can’t take no more
Every time I get ahead, trouble finds my door
The rent went up, the gas ain’t cheap
Everybody wants a piece of me
I’m working hard till my back gets sore
But my pockets can’t take no more
[Bridge — Gospel-Rooted Cry]
I ain’t asking for a mansion
I ain’t chasing no diamond ring
I want groceries in the kitchen
And enough peace to hear myself think
Want to take my woman dancing
Without checking what the evening costs
Want to order what I came for
Without calculating every sauce
[Background Harmonies]
Hold on, brother
Keep on working
Better days are coming
[Male Lead — Powerful Belt]
But better days need to hurry
These bills ain’t showing mercy
I’ve been stretching one thin dollar
Till George Washington looks nervous
[Final Chorus — Full Vocal Power]
My pockets can’t take no more
I’ve been paying everybody
Still they’re reaching for more
But I won’t let hard times break me
Won’t let debt come take my name
I’ll keep working, keep believing
Till my money learns to stay
[Outro — Gravelly Ad-Libs]
Baby, hide that shopping bag
Turn that thermostat down
We can love by candlelight
Long as they don’t cut the power out
My pockets can’t take no more
But this working man
Still ain’t poor in his soul