(Sung in a gravelly voice, similar to Oliver Anthony)
(Verse 1)
I've been workin' my tail off, sun up 'til sun down
Clockin' in, clockin' out, in this one-horse town
See the headlines blazin', 'bout the market on the rise
While my paycheck barely covers, just to keep my head dry
(Chorus)
Rich folks north of Richmond, they're all doin' just fine
Sippin' on their cocktails, livin' on cloud nine
Poor folks down the holler, gettin' handouts by the score
And the middle class is payin', for it all and so much more.
(Verse 2)
Politicians promise, they'll make things fair and just
But the lobbyist money, buys their broken trust
They cut taxes for the wealthy, claim it'll trickle down
While I'm drownin' in deductions, wearin' a permanent frown
(Chorus)
Rich folks north of Richmond, they're all doin' just fine
Sippin' on their cocktails, livin' on cloud nine
Poor folks down the holler, gettin' handouts by the score
And the middle class is payin', for it all and so much more.
(Bridge)
They say I gotta be grateful, for the chance to work and strive
But I'm workin' just to survive, barely feelin' alive
This ain't the American dream, just a rigged up game
Where the house always wins, and we all end up the same
(Chorus)
Rich folks north of Richmond, they're all doin' just fine
Sippin' on their cocktails, livin' on cloud nine
Poor folks down the holler, gettin' handouts by the score
And the middle class is payin', for it all and so much more.
(Outro)
Yeah, I'm the middle class, the forgotten and the strained
Workin' hard, payin' taxes, feelin' constantly drained.
Just tryin' to make an honest livin' in this land
But the system's rigged against me, by a greedy, heavy hand.