Hey Mister – The Band Of Heathens (originally by Ray Charles)
By
Listen up everybody, I got an idea I think we ought to write a letter to the congress of the United States and tell them what’s on our minds Because we’re the richest country in the world and we can take care about own people You know I believe we ought to say something like this
Hey mister, you better listen Oh mister, you better listen Mama got to wash the rich folk clothes Just to keep the rich man from throwing us out the doors Papa look for work with the morning sun How can you get a job when there just ain’t none Hey legislation, if you can fix the nation Why don’t you open up your heart and listen to this part
A little child ask for bread with tears in his eyes Mama say, we ain’t got none and then they both cry Don’t you hear em, don’t you hear em? Listen to words they say
The world need love, I know, you admit it What you doin’ to the poor man, lord knows you oughta quit it How can he love you? Tell me how can he smile? When back at home there’s a hungry little child? Hey legislation, why don’t you try a new route Listen to the people and hear what they’re talking bout
The poor people know that they can’t impeach you They just hoping that their cries will reach you Don’t you hear em, don’t you hear em? Listen to words they say
Many singers before me have sung this song Trying to remind you to right this wrong But what I’m wondering if you ever understand That rich or poor a man’s still a man Hey legislation, when you start to fix the nation Take a real good look at the present administration and then
Stand up, wave it goodbye Find someone who can hear the people cry Don’t you hear em, don’t you hear em, don’t you hear em? Listen to words they say
Hey mister, what you gonna do People out here are trying to talk to you You know we need help and we ain’t gonna wait No don’t talk, get to doin’ before it’s too late Foreign aid is well and good But why don’t you give some of that money to the neighborhood Hey mister, you better listen…