It's a cold hard world
it's a cold hard world
it's a cold hard world
oh no

I heard Red Donley say
it was on the news today
it's a cold hard world
it's a cold hard world

it's hiking across the country
looking for a bite to eat
you'd be surprised at the animals
and the people you'd meet

rolling down that highway
with eyes fixed straight ahead
they have a caravan of cars
to bury the dead
and coke cans and pop bottles
lined the streets like flowers instead

and this guy gave me a ride
I said this industrial waste sure stinks
he said he likes that smell
'cause that's the smell of money
i said "well, mister money stinks, too."

[ref.]

I met a fireman
he said you never forget burning flesh
and the librarian said
do you have a card here?
I said I been coming here for weeks
don't you recognize me by now
I checked out a million books
just to get you to notice me

[ref.]

Somebody's house burned down
somebody's hubcap fell off
somebody's soul got lost
somebody's heart got broke

I heard Red Donley say
it was on the news today
it's a cold hard world
it's a cold hard world