Songwriter: John Mellencamp
Producer: John Mellencamp Don Gehman
[Verse 1]
Well, dear Mr. President
I live in the suburbs
It's a long way from Washington, D.C.
Had me a job
Workin' for wages
'Til the company moved out
And they forgot about me
Can't draw unemployment
For some unknown reason
My kids are hungry
Got four mouths to feed
I go out every day looking for suitable employment
Do you think that 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
[Verse 2]
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]
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
[Verse 3]
Well, 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 ain't 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]
Down and out here in paradise
I'm down and out and I'm on my knees
Down and out here in paradise
Looks like the land of milk and honey
Done left me
[Outro]
Hey hey hey
Whoo
Hey hey hey
'Cause I'm down and out here in paradise
I'm down and out and I'm on my knees
Down and out here in paradise
Well, dear Mr. President
I live in the suburbs
It's a long way from Washington, D.C.
Had me a job
Workin' for wages
'Til the company moved out
And they forgot about me
Can't draw unemployment
For some unknown reason
My kids are hungry
Got four mouths to feed
I go out every day looking for suitable employment
Do you think that 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
[Verse 2]
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]
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
[Verse 3]
Well, 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 ain't 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]
Down and out here in paradise
I'm down and out and I'm on my knees
Down and out here in paradise
Looks like the land of milk and honey
Done left me
[Outro]
Hey hey hey
Whoo
Hey hey hey
'Cause I'm down and out here in paradise
I'm down and out and I'm on my knees
Down and out here in paradise
more tracks from the album
From the album
- The Lonesome Jubilee (1987)
John Mellencamp popular songs
- Jack & Diane
- Pink Houses
- Hurts So Good
- Small Town
- Check It Out
- Authority Song
- Rain on the Scarecrow
- I Need a Lover
- Cherry Bomb
- For the Children
- Farewell Angelina
- R. Gang
- To M.G. (Wherever She May Be)
- Worn Out Nervous Condition
- Yours Forever
- No One Cares About Me
- Forgiveness
- L.U.V.
- This May Not Be the End of the World
- County Fair
- Goodnight
- Young Without Lovers
- Another Sunny Day 12/25
- Serious Business