"The World Is Mean" lyrics - CECILE MCLORIN SALVANT

All I'm asking isn't much
Once, instead of all the sadness
From a man, a little gladness
Is that asking very much?
Is that asking such a much?

One right is guaranteed to everybody
To call his short unhappy life his own
To take a little pleasure from a shoddy
And when he asks for bread to eat, not get a stone
This right is guaranteed to everybody

But sad to say, it never yet has happened
That things turn out the way they ought to go
Who wouldn't want a little decent treatment?
It seems that circumstance won't have it so

I would gladly give to you
Anything your heart desires
Oh, I swear, I'd be inspired
It would give me pleasure too
It would give me pleasure too

We crave to be more kindly than we are
Give gladly to the poor because it's right
If all are kind, His kingdom isn't far
Who wouldn't wish to bask beneath his light?
We crave to be more kindly than we are

But sad to say, the chances happen never
You'd have to reach up high and man is low
We'd all be glad to live in peace forever
But you know circumstance won't have it so

[Instrumental break]

Of course I'm telling you the truth
The world is mean and man uncouth

To be aglow instead of low
But you know circumstance won't have it so
To be aglow instead of low
But you know circumstance won't have it so

The world is mean and man uncouth
And sad to say, I tell the truth
It always happens that way
It always happens that way
And nothing much will help a lot
And you can toss it in the pot