No Forgotten Man

From the woods of California to the banks of Ohio
I've always worked each day God sent as best I'm able
While both me and the crops they failed, those damn wolves came to my door
I just couldn't put no food upon the table
Time to step up, boy, and be a man.

So they stuck you 'neath a helmet and put a shovel in your hand
Sayin' it's time to step up, boy, your family needs ya'
And though we struggled hard to save, they say our money turned no good
And that there's not gonna' be enough to feed ya'
And they say it never happened 'cause they can.

So they rob us of our livin', kick us down with shiny shoes
God knows we've paid for our dreamin'
And now they're trying to tell us that they'll own us 'till the end
Someone better pray that luck means justice
'Cause I'll be no forgotten man.

So they stuck me 'neath a helmet, put a gun into my hand
Saying time to step up, boy, your country needs ya'.
They rounded us like slaughter, they shipped us all to hell
Sayin' what doesn't kill you boy is gonna' free ya'.
Pretend it didn't happen if you can.

But I did my share of killin' and I took my share of war
God knows I bled for my leader
And now you're trying to tell me my enemy's my friend
They'll only pray as long as there is freedom
But I'll be no forgotten man.

These days I wheel the city, where the streets don't know my name
They'll say time to move on boy 'cause no one needs you.
In the shot glass there's no mercy, in your bottle only blame
Though you shout the deeds you done no one believes ya'
Come, man, spare a nickel if you can

Cause all I've got's a story, no kin to call my own
No photographs to pin upon a feelin'
But what you're trying to tell me makes the truth too hard to bend
And maybe there's just too much made of freedom
Then I'll be no forgotten man.

'Cause one man's chains become another's freedom
So I'll be no forgotten man.
'Cause one man's chains becomes another's freedom
So you'll be no forgotten man.