Worker's Song

Album: Blackout (2003)
Play Video
  • Yeah, this one's for the workers who toil night and day
    By hand and by brain to earn your pay
    Who for centuries long past for no more than your bread
    Have bled for your countries and counted your dead

    In the factories and mills, in the shipyards and mines
    We've often been told to keep up with the times
    For our skills are not needed, they've streamlined the job
    And with sliderule and stopwatch our pride they have robbed

    We're the first ones to starve the first ones to die
    The first ones in line for that pie-in-the-sky
    And always the last when the cream is shared out
    For the worker is working when the fat cat's about

    And when the sky darkens and the prospect is war
    Who's given a gun and then pushed to the fore
    And expected to die for the land of our birth
    Though we've never owned one lousy handful of earth?

    We're the first ones to starve the first ones to die
    The first ones in line for that pie-in-the-sky
    And always the last when the cream is shared out
    For the worker is working when the fat cat's about

    We're the first ones to starve the first ones to die
    The first ones in line for that pie-in-the-sky
    And always the last when the cream is shared out
    For the worker is working when the fat cat's about

    We're the first ones to starve the first ones to die
    The first ones in line for that pie-in-the-sky
    And always the last when the cream is shared out
    For the worker is working when the fat cat's about

    All of these things the worker has done
    From tilling the fields to carrying the gun
    We've been yoked to the plough since time first began
    And always expected to carry the can Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 4

  • Declan from New JerseyDave woods suggested that song for them.
  • Bjorn Hauksson from Tx, UsThis song was written by Ed Pickford, from County Durham, and recorded by Dick Gaughan, a Scottish folk singer in 1981, it’s about workers worldwide, but was initially written about workers in the UK.
  • Albz from Nonya"In America" yes because the working class are only mistreated in America and the band ment it to apply only to Americans.
  • Eric from Milltown, InThe Murhpys are one of America's greatest bands and this song is good proof. I work 9 hour days at a funiture factory and LOVE to listen to this on the drive home. These guys are the real deal. SING LOUD, SING PROUD!!!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Sam Hollander

Sam HollanderSongwriter Interviews

The hitmaking songwriter/producer Sam Hollander with stories about songs for Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Train, Pentatonix, and Fitz And The Tantrums.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went Mainstream

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Divided Souls: Musical Alter Egos

Divided Souls: Musical Alter EgosSong Writing

Long before Eminem, Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj created alternate personas, David Bowie, Bono, Joni Mitchell and even Hank Williams took on characters.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Rupert Hine

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.