Standing in line, marking time

Waiting for the welfare dime

'cause they can't buy a job

The man in the silk suit hurries by

As he catches the poor old lady's eyes

Just for fun he says, "get a job."

That's just the way it is

Some things will never change

That's just the way it is

Ah, but don't you believe them

Said hey, little boy, you can't go where the others go

'cause you don't look like they do

Said hey, old man, how can you stand to think that way?

And did you really think about it before you made the rules?

He said, son

That's just the way it is

Some things will never change

That's just the way it is

Ah, but don't you believe them, yeah

That's just the way it is

That's just the way it is

Well, they passed a law in '64

To give those who ain't got a little more

But it only goes so far

'cause the law don't change another's mind

When all it sees at the hiring time

Is the line on the color bar, no

That's just the way it is

Some things will never change

That's just the way it is

That's just the way it is, it is, it is, it is