John Mellencamp - Down And Out In Paradise Lyrics






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
I've got four mouths to feed
I go out every day looking for suitable employment
Do you think there's something you could do for me
Cause I'm

[Chorus:]
Down and out here in paradise
Down and out and I'm on my knees
I'm down and out here in paradise
Looks like the milk and honey
Done 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 this could happen to me
Cause I'm

[Chorus]

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's 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

[Chorus]





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John Mellencamp Down And Out In Paradise Comments
  1. J.... W....

    A lot of compassion in that rocking song. Listen a couple of times and the small vignettes JCM has put in there can hit you hard,

  2. a.... ....

    John you are the One!

  3. d.... g....

    WOW.. THIS ALBUM is still so fucking amazing!!!!! LOVE IT

  4. G.... A....

    Good beat...rhythm

  5. v.... ....

    The best album ever

  6. P.... S....

    lyrical brilliance

  7. C.... ....

    The last verse may choke you up.

  8. C.... H....

    concert 1988…merry weather post pavilion….excellent show……….young girl on fiddle …awesome

  9. C.... ....

    Be humble. This could be you.

  10. c.... ....

    More relevant today than it was in 1987.

    c.... ....

    You took the words right out of my mouth.

    c.... ....

    Very true...Especially the first "dear Mr. President"

  11. b.... ....

    Mellencamp's best album. 

    b.... ....

    I agree. I saw it Live: Holy Shit!

  12. f.... ....

    good tune.