I woke up this morning aching with pain
Don't think I can work but I'll try
The car's in the shop, so I thumbed all the way
Oh, these days I barely get by

I walked home from work and it rained all the way
My wife left and didn't say why
She laid all her bills on the desk in the hall
Oh, these days I barely get by

Put my only two dollars on my favorite horse
He lost by a nose and I cried
Oh, my boss says, "Come winter, we'll all be laid off"
Oh, these days I barely get by

These days I barely get by
I want to give up, lay down and die
Worst of all was when she told me goodbye
Oh, these days I barely get by
Oh, these days, one barely gets by