Poor Man
Old Crow Lyrics

The song “Poor Man” by Old Crow Medicine Show is a poignant reflection on the struggles of a poor man in a world where everything seems stacked against him. The opening lines of the song speak to the hopelessness that many people feel in this situation; telling someone to stop crying and that things will get better in the future can seem trite when the present is so bleak. The refrain of “And there ain’t a thing for a poor man in this world” reinforces this sense of resignation and despair.

The verses of the song tell a series of stories that illustrate the challenges faced by the song’s unnamed narrator. He works hard to grow crops, but then is thwarted by bad weather; he prays for help, only to be faced with a disaster that wipes out everything he’s achieved. The Christmas gift he receives is a pair of overalls, a reminder that even the holiday season is something that he can’t get away from. Through it all, he turns to his loved ones for comfort, but even this feels like a small consolation in a world that seems so stacked against him.

Overall, “Poor Man” is a powerful song that captures the emotions of people who struggle financially, and it speaks to the larger social and economic issues that affect people’s lives.