Now if I were a bricklayer, I wouldn't build just anything, If I was a ballplayer, I wouldn't play no second string, And if I were some jewelry, baby, Lord, I'd have to be a diamond ring, If I was a secret, you know I would never be told, If I was a jug of wine, Lord, my flavor would be plenty old, I could be 'most anything, But it got to be 24-karat solid gold
Chorus: I'm the Penthouse Pauper; I've got nothing to my name I'm the Penthouse Pauper; I've got nothing to my name, I can be 'most anything, 'Cause when you got nothin' it's all the same
If I was a gambler, you know I'd never lose, And if I were a guitar player, I'd have to play the blues
If I was a hacksaw (hatchet), my blade would be razor sharp, If I were a politician, I could prove money could talk, You can find the tallest building, Lord, you know I'd have the house on top
Chorus: I'm the Penthouse Pauper; I've got nothing to my name I'm the Penthouse Pauper; I've got nothing to my name, I can be 'most anything, 'Cause when you got nothin' it's all the same