Al, they say the good Lord made the sun,

the planets, and all we reckon on.

But why dear Lord make it hard?

Are there not other ways, God, to deal the cards,

like giving humans strength and wisdom?

God! Life is hard,

but life is hardest, when you're dumb.

Now Al, you had quite a run,

from parents home and place in sun

to these Bowery steps you sit upon;

too soused to realize what you have done:

the wine? the stink? and the slums?

God! Life is hard,

but life is hardest, when you're dumb.

Now Al, you know your problem is:

for at our school, you were no wiz-kid.

Consider in school the trouble that you made

and how you've failed the grades,

God! Life is hard,

but life is hardest when you're dumb.

Your eyes, your mouth, your torpid face;

consider how you've ran the race....

Tis from the genes of your drunken mum.

God! Life is hard,

but life is hardest when you're dumb.

Now Al, I think you've found your place:

drunken dreaming, a welfare case.

Drown what little that you got,

it cannot hurt an id-iot. 

So drink your wine and be a bum.

God! Life is hard,

but life is hardest when you're dumb.