I was born there, before I knew betternWent to school there, but learned to avoid thatnFell in love there, but love couldn't thrive therenPicked it up, and I left it behind, saidnnMan, alivenGet me out of this barrel of crabsnnMost our homes were depressed by divisionnWhat passed for friendship, was really protectionnAny work there, disolved into troublenAte me up, living life on the bubble, saidnnMan, alivenGet me out of this barrel of crabsnnEverytime I'd gain some ground, another man's scheme would just pull me back downnEverytime I spied the top, the next poor sucker's there to give me the dropnnMan, alivenGet me out of this barrel of crabsnI said, man, alivenGet me out of this barrel of crabsnMan, alivenGet me out of this barrel of crabs