When the friends can't be found And the girl is out of town I come home to an empty house The telephone is all I have When my plans don't work out Mama says, don't let it get you down Don't let it get you down There's a club I can't get in Every week it's the same damn thing I get mad I want to cry it's my skin they don't like When my plans don't work out Mama says, don't let it get you down Don't let it get you down Now my world don't look good Not the way I know it should And my time is running short I didn't do all I ought When my plans don't work out Mama says, don't let it get you down Don't let it get you down