All my life, I been poor boy son
Scratchin' for my meat
I have been kicked in my teeth
Till the blood run hot and sweet

Seen a lot of living my friends
And this I will repeat
Just because you knock a man down
Don't mean that you got him beat

It's a shame, shame, shame
Baby, it's a cryin' shame
It's a shame, shame, shame
Baby, it's a crying shame

Henry nearly killed me
'Fore they hauled his ass in jail
Slapped me right across my face
With a flour sack full o' nails

Nearly broke my head in two
With his steel-toed boots
Shovin' all that money
Down the laundry chute

Listen, it's a shame, shame, shame
Baby, it's a crying shame
It's a shame, shame, shame
Crying shame
Well, sweet little Mary Anne
With her make-up all a mess
Picks herself up off the floor
Coughs and straightens her dress

Sayin', "Please, please daddy
Can I have just a little bit more?"
I said, "Sorry baby, but I'm headin' out
Somehow this town don't feel like home anymore."

It's a shame, shame, shame
Baby, it's a cryin' shame
It's a shame, shame, shame
Baby, it's a cryin' shame

It's a shame, shame, shame
Baby, it's a cryin' shame
It's a shame, shame, shame
Baby, it's a cryin' shame

I've seen a lot of living my friend
This I will repeat
And just because you knock a man down
Don't mean you got him beat

It's a shame, shame, shame
Baby, it's a cryin' shame
It's a shame, shame, shame
Baby, it's a cryin' shame
Shame, shame, shame
Eh, eh, eh, eh
Shame, shame, shame