I'm not afraid to bend my back
I'm not afraid of dirt
But how I fear the things I do
For lack of honest workMy family is lost to me
They could not bear the hurt
To see the state their boy is in
For lack of honest workI hold no blame for anyone
'Twas I who did arrange
To pay my union dues so I'd
Not have to learn or changeAnd when I was replaced, 'twas I
Who started down the hill
And drank away my savings 'til
I couldn't stop myselfThe prophets of a brave new world
Captains of industry
Have visions grand and great designs
But none have room for meThey see a world where everyone
Is rich and smart and young
But if I live to see such things
Too late for me they comeI know I'm not the only one
To fall beneath the wheel
Such company can not assuage
The loneliness I feelSo many are resigned to be
Society's debris
But I will be remembered for
The life, life took from meFor I'm not afraid to bend my back
I'm not afraid of dirt
But how I fear the things I do
For lack of honest work
But how I fear the things I do
For lack of honest work