Down and out in Paradise Songtext
von John Mellencamp

Hey, hey, hey

Hey, hey, hey

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
Got four mouths to feed
I go out everyday lookin' 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, I′m on my knees
I'm down and out here in paradise
It look like the milk and honey
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 his could happen to me
Cause I′m


Down and out here in paradise
Down and out, I'm on my knees
Down and out here in paradise
Look like the milk and honey
Done run out on me, hey, hey

Well, 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?
Yeah, yeah

Down and out here in paradise
I′m down and out and I'm on my knees
Down and out here in paradise
Look like the land of milk and honey
Done left me

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