You say you're down and out and need some help to get you through each day Well, here's a thought or two I've used and like to pass them on your way I found them lying there, the answers that you say you're looking for Make what you will of them and you can change the way it was before You got to make it by yourself You know you got to make it by yourself I'll be your friend and I'll lend a helping hand But you got to try and help yourself before I can I hear you talk of all the happiness and emptiness you've known Well, let me reassure you, never were you really all alone They say in quiet desperation many people cannot see They cannot see the simple truth that's not the way it has to be You got to find it for yourself God helps the man who helps himself, amen I am your friend and I'll lend a helping hand But you got to try and help yourself before I can We got to help (we got to help) each other (each other) You got to help (you to help) your brother when you can When you can Now don't you think that I was preaching, I'm just reaching out for you 'Cause that's the only way that I know how to get the message through Then you, in turn, have got to learn and teach it to somebody who Who felt the happiness, the emptiness the same as you You got to make it by yourself You know you got to make it by yourself I'll be your friend and I'll lend a helping hand But you got to try and help yourself before I can