I used to love this
Town and this neighborhood
The streets were safe, the schools were good
The mill was hummin', twenty-four seven
I was foreman on the line, three to eleven
But eighteen months and two days ago
The mill closed down and moved to Mexico

I've paid my bills, I've paid my dues
And I've paid my share of taxes, too
Now I can't buy my baby shoes
I've got these red, white
And pink-slip blues


I hide the pickup truck
In Ricky Brown's garage
Over on the next block
'cause there's a repo man to dodge
I slip out the back door
Lord, I never thought I'd live
To see this day we're gonna need that truck
When they come to take the house away

I've paid my bills, I've paid my dues
I've paid my share of taxes, too
Now I can't even buy my little baby shoes
I've got these red, white
And damn pink-slip blues

You know I love my country
And I'm not one to complain
But there's a lot of us that feel
Like we've been left stranded here
Out in the rain

I've paid my bills, I've paid my dues
I've paid my share of taxes, too
Now I can't buy my kids no shoes
I've got these red, white
And pink-slip blues


Is anybody listening?
Hey politicians, we're talkin' to you
(Is anybody listening?)
Are you gonna help us pull on through?
(Is anybody listening?)
Or just leave us stranded in the rain?
(Is anybody listening?)