John Mellencamp › Lyrics › Down and Out in Paradise

Well, dear Mr. President, I live in the suburbs
It's a long way from Washington D.C
Had me a job, workin' for wages
Till the company moved out and they forgot about me

Can't draw unemployment for some unknown reason
My kids are hungry, I've got four mouths to feed
I go out every day looking for suitable employment
Do you think there's something you could do for me?

'Cause I'm down and out here in paradise
Down and out and I'm on my knees
I'm down and out here in paradise
Looks like the milk and honey done run out on me

Dear Mr. President, I used to be a dancer
Got a little bit too old so I became a secretary
Married a man in Las Vegas, Nevada
And ten years later he ran out on the kids and me

Some said I was pretty but those days are over
Now I've no place to live and I'm out on the streets
Oh, Mr. President, can I tell you a secret?
I never ever thought that this could happen to me

'Cause I'm down and out here in paradise
Down and out and I'm on my knees
I'm down and out here in paradise
Looks like the milk and honey done run out on me

Dear Mr. President, I'm just a young kid
I'm in the fourth grade at Riley Elementary
My mom and dad's been actin' funny, I'm not sure what
If it ain't got something to do with me

My daddy's always drunk, my mom's a babysitter
And I don't like the Russians 'cause I hear they hate me
Dear Mr. President, can I ask you one question?
When the bombs fall down, will they hurt everyone in my family?

I'm down and out here in paradise
Down and out and I'm on my knees
Down and out here in paradise
Looks like the milk and honey done left me

Well well, 'cause I'm, I'm down and out here in paradise
Down and out and I'm on my knees