Nobody Wants You When You're Down and Out
Womack Bobby Lyrics

Well, once I lived the life of a millionaire
There was a time when I had unlimited funds and I could do any extravagant activity I wished.

Spending my money, no, I didn't care
I had no worries about spending money, not a single care about where it's coming from or where it's going.

Takin' my friend John out for a mighty good time
I used to have friends whom I entertained grandly; one such friend was John.

Buyin' high-priced liquor, champagne and wine
To impress my friends, I bought fancy drinks that were expensive.

Then I began to fall so low
I had a considerable financial setback, and my wealth began to decline.

Didn't have a friend, nor no place to go
As my fortune dwindled, I lost all my companions and had nowhere to go.

If I get my hands on a dollar again
I am now broke, but if I ever come across a meager amount of money again,

I'm goin' to hold on to it until the eagle grins
I'll hold onto it as tightly as possible and keep it with me for a long time – likely as long as an eagle can grin.

Soon as I get back up on my feet again
If my fortunes improve, and I'm financially stable once more,

Everybody wants to be my long-lost friend
All of a sudden, everyone who knows me will start treating me like a long-forgotten or distant friend.

It's might strange, without a doubt
It's curious, but suspiciously so, that everyone is befriending me now that I'm rich again.

Nobody wants you when you're down and out
This phrase means that no one is there for you when you're poor, but everyone is there when you're wealthy. It’s an expression of the fickleness of human relationships.

Lord, soon as I get up on my feet again
In this line, the singer appeals to the Lord, asking for help should he ever get wealthy again.

It's mighty strange, without a doubt
The singer is expressing deep amazement at how his friends would suddenly act kindly to him now that he's wealthy.

Nobody wants you when you're down and out
This final line is a summary and conclusion. The point raised in the chorus, that one is left all alone when encountering financial woes, is put into the proper context.