He`s a poor boy in his pocket
he`s a poor boy in his shoes.
he`s done his time
he`s stood in line
that boy has paid his dues.
He ain`t looking for a handout
he`s just looking for a start
he don`t hate anyone
he don`t carry a gun
you can tell that kid is smart.
So you can`
t keep that poor boy down
you can be unkind
you can rob him blind
but you can`t keep that poor boy down.
you can lie and cheat
you can chain his feet
but you can`t keep that poor boy down.
And all down throught the ages
the kid`s been treated rough
just take a look
in any history book
you can see that times were tough.
Now we move up to the nineties
up to the 21st
one day he`ll stand
a full grown man
and be the same as all of us.
So you can`t keep that poor boy down
you can lock him up
you can break his cup
but you can`t keep that poor boy down.
You can fight and steal
you can drag your heels
but you can`t keep that poor boy dow
You can kick his ass
if the kid`s got class
you can`t keep that poor boy down.
Let`s stop the truck
go back and pick him up
you can`t keep that poor boy down.