The price of progress.
The banks of Tyne are green again
The skyline boasts no shipyard crane
Our great shipbuilding industry,
a footnote now in history
The riversides no longer ring
to the harsh sound of riveting
It’s not the Tyne I used to know
although the daily tides still flow
up past Newcastle from the sea
Far cleaner than they used to be.
I wonder was it worth the cost
a thousand, thousand jobs were lost.
There was no clear cut policy
to deal with mass redundancy.
As usual the government
addressed the rising discontent
With promises of action to
reduce the ever growing queue.
On unemployment benefit
But sadly they did not see fit.
To do what needed to be done.
So we were left to struggle on.
The fat cats were protected by
the old boys camaraderie.
Nobody gave a tinkers damn
about the common working man.
One M.P.was heard to say
this is the price we have to pay.
He clearly did not understand
the working men’s right to demand.
Some action from the powers that be
which would relieve their misery.
Correcting mistakes which were made.
As usual the price was paid
By men who lost their livelihood
and not by those who really should.
have paid the price because they failed
to see. Just what would be entailed
In closing down an industry
which had thrived traditionally.
From lack of positive support
and even worse from lack of thought.
Though craftsmen could transfer their skill
there were no vacancies to fill.
Whole communities were destroyed
there was no way they could avoid.
Being forced to move away
although they would much rather stay.
The banks of Tyne are green again.
Paid for in hardship and in pain.
The working men were hardest hit
again the rich folks benefit.
Because they can afford to buy
Luxury flats that now rise high
and cater for the wealthiest
Who think that they deserve the best.
The working class lose out again
Which is quite easy to explain.
Though working men are in demand
the wealthiest are in command.
They always were through history
There really is no mystery.
The power lies with the elite
The working men cannot compete.
The rich get rich at our expense
and most of them make no pretence.
To care about the working man.
Who they exploit because they can.
http: // blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Love Working On You
(jim collins/craig wiseman)
You woke up this morning
Changes were taking place
You looked in the mirror
A smile was all over your face
cause out of nowhere
Someone was there
Who dared to climb
Those walls you made
Its exciting, a little frightening
But girl dont you be afraid
Thats just the love working
Love working on you
Thats just the love working
Working on pulling you through
Cant even remember
All the sorrow that you left behind
Its a brand new day
Theres a bright new way
And your tears have turned into wine
You never forget
When your eyes met
Or just how clearly you could see
Where the turns are deep in your heart
That lead you to believe
Thats just the love working
Love working on you
Thats just the love working
Working on pulling you through
All of the while you felt forsaken
And all of the while
Loves been waiting, waiting
Suddenly you see how it could be
If we all only felt this way
And for a while girl you can see this world
Looking through the eyes of fate
Thats just the love working
Love working on you
Thats just the love working
Working on pulling you through
Thats just the love working
Love working on you
Thats just the love working
Working on pulling you through
Thats just the love working on you
Thats just the love working
Working on pulling you through
song performed by by John Michael Montgomery
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Everything Is Kiling Me....
As soon as you're born they make you feel small
By giving you no time instead of it all
Till the pain is so big you feel nothing at all
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
They hurt you at home and they hit you at school
They hate you if you're clever and they despise a fool
Till you're so fucking crazy you can't follow their rules
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
When they've tortured and scared you for twenty odd years
Then they expect you to pick a career
When you can't really function you're so full of fear
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
Keep you doped with religion and sex and TV
And you think you're so clever and classless and free
But you're still fucking peasants as far as I can see
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
There's room at the top they are telling you still
But first you must learn how to smile as you kill
If you want to be like the folks on the hill
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
If you want to be a hero well just follow me
If you want to be a hero well just follow me
poem by Adnan Zahedi
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Working Class Hero
As soon as you're born they make you feel small,
By giving you no time instead of it all,
Till the pain is so big you feel nothing at all.
A working class hero is something to be,
A working class hero is something to be.
They hurt you at home and they hit you at school,
They hate you if you're clever and they despise a fool,
Till you're so f***ing crazy you can't follow their rules.
A working class hero is something to be,
A working class hero is something to be.
When they've tortured and scared you for twenty odd years,
Then they expect you to pick a career,
When you can't really function you're so full of fear.
A working class hero is something to be,
A working class hero is something to be.
Keep you doped with religion and sex and TV,
And you think you're so clever and classless and free,
But you're still f***ing peasants as far as I can see.
A working class hero is something to be,
A working class hero is something to be.
There's room at the top they are telling you still,
But first you must learn how to smile as you kill,
If you want to be like the folks on the hill.
A working class hero is something to be.
A working class hero is something to be.
If you want to be a hero well just follow me,
If you want to be a hero well just follow me.
song, music by John Lennon, lyrics by John Lennon from John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (11 December 1970)
Submitted by anonym
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State Of The Union (In Closing)
we, the working people
of America, demand our dignity!
we demand equality, and fairness!
we are all immigrants here!
yet no human being is illegal.
we demand the right to work,
and to educate our children.
we demand shelter, and healthcare!
we are a hard working, hard fighting
people... we demand a
hard working, hard fighting President!
we know that you are limited
by the hand of the controlling elite,
at the mercy of the corporate machine.
dont be just a figurehead.
your choice!
freedom is a work in progress.
the real revolution is in
the human heart, in the mind.
we are ready for change,
and willing to act.
be ready, and willing!
there are no small people,
we are all people.
we will not be owned!
we cannot go back to the
bigoted, ignorant ways of the past.
you are our best option,
be the man!
most of all, we demand the action
that follows words well spoken.
be the action!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Clampdown
Taking off his turban they said is this man a jew
Cause theyre working for the clampdown
And they put up a poster saying we earn more than you
When were working for the clampdown
We will teach our twisted speech
To the young believers
Train our blue-eyed men
To be young believers
Judge said five to ten - I said double that again
Im not working for the clampdown
Well no one born with a living soul
Could be working for the clampdown
Kick over the wall cause governments to fall
How can you refuse it
Let fury have the hour, anger can be power
Dont you know that you can use it
The voices in your head are calling
Stop wasting your time theres nothing coming
Only a fool would think someone could save you
The men at the factory are old and cunning
You dont owe nothing so boy get running
Its the best years of your life they want to steal
You grow up and you calm down
Cause youre working for the clampdown
And you start wearing the blue and the brown
Cause youre working for the clampdown
So you got someone to boss around
Does it makes you feel big now
And you drift until you brutalize
Youve made your first kill now
I say in these days of evil presidentes
Working for the clampdown
I said lately one or two have fully paid their dues
Working for the clampdown
Working for the clampdown
Hey you are now
Working for the clampdown
Hey you are now
(working for the clampdown)
Kick over the wall (working for the clampdown)
Cause governments to fall (working for the clampdown)
How can you refuse it (working for the clampdown)
Hey get along now
(working for the clampdown)
Giving away no secrets
song performed by by Indigo Girls
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Working Undercover For The Man
Ive been working hard, trying to sing and play guitar
Growing out my hair and practicing my stare
Paid to fake it in a traveling band
And Im working undercover for the man
Sha-la-la-la-la sha-la-la-la-la-la
Planning midnight raids on our unsuspecting fans
While the roadies rig the video surveillance van
Paid to fake it in a traveling band
And Im working undercover for the man
Sha-la-la-la-la sha-la-la-la-la-la
Sha-la-la-la-la sha-la-la-la-la-la
Ive been working hard, practicing to sing and play guitar
Growing out my hair and working on my stare
Paid to fake it in a traveling band
And Im working undercover for the man
Sha-la-la-la-la sha-la-la-la-la-la
Sha-la-la-la-la sha-la-la-la-la-la
song performed by by They Might Be Giants
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Women of the working class, especially wage workers, should not have more than two children at most. The average working man can support no more and and the average working woman can take care of no more in decent fashion.
quote by Margaret Sanger
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Mr. President (Have Pity On The Working Man)
We've taken all you've given
But it's gettin' hard to make a livin'
Mr. President have pity on the working man
We're not asking you to love us
You may place yourself high above us
Mr. President have pity on the working man
I know it may sound funny
But people ev'ry where are runnin' out of money
We just can't make it by ourself
It is cold and the wind is blowing
We need something to keep us gong
Mr. President have pity on the working man
Maybe you've cheated
Maybe you've lied
Maybe you have lost your mind
Maybe you're only thinking 'bout yourself
Too late to run. Too late to cry now
The time has come for us to say good-bye now
Mr. President have pity on the working man
Mr. President have pity on the working man
song performed by by Randy Newman
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Mr. President
We've taken all you've given
But it's gettin' hard to make a livin'
Mr. president have pity on the working man
We're not asking you to love us
You may place yourself high above us
Mr. president have pity on the working man
I know it may sound funny
But people ev'ry where are runnin' out of money
We just can't make it by ourself
It is cold and the wind is blowing
We need something to keep us gong
Mr. president have pity on the working man
Maybe you've cheated
Maybe you've lied
Maybe you have lost your mind
Maybe you're only thinking 'bout yourself
Too late to run. too late to cry now
The time has come for us to say good-bye now
Mr. president have pity on the working man
Mr. president have pity on the working man
song performed by by Randy Newman
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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No More Chain Gang
He was black and handsome
And mighty mighty brave
Comin from the backwoods
The grandson of a slave
He was caught for something
They knew hed never done
And he was diggin ditches
Out in the burnin sun
Working on the chain gang-no more
Working on the chain gang-no more
Working on the chain gang-no more
Working on the chain gang-no more
No more, no more, no more
Man he was a giant
And iron he could bend
And he swore hed fight them
Down to the bitter end
Though he was no talker
His burnin eyes would say
You may keep on tryin
Cant hold me no way
Working on the chain gang-no more
Working on the chain gang-no more
Working on the chain gang-no more
Working on the chain gang-no more
No more, no more, no more
And one night he lay in waiting
Hit the guard and took the key
And before the others caught him
He jumped out and he was free
He jumped out and he was free
He made for the swamp lands
It seemed a hopeless duel
They had dogs and shotguns
And they were mighty cruel
But they couldnt find him
He was too smart and strong
Hiding in the daytime
Wandering all night long
Working on the chain gang-no more
Working on the chain gang-no more
Working on the chain gang-no more
Working on the chain gang-no more
Working on the chain gang-no more
Working on the chain gang-no more
song performed by by Boney M.
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Factory
Early in the morning factory whistle blows,
Man rises from bed and puts on his clothes,
Man takes his lunch, walks out in the morning light,
Its the working, the working, just the working life.
Through the mansions of fear, through the mansions of pain,
I see my daddy walking through them factory gates in the rain,
Factory takes his hearing, factory gives him life,
The working, the working, just the working life.
End of the day, factory whistle cries,
Men walk through these gates with death in their eyes.
And you just better believe, boy, somebodys gonna get hurt tonight,
Its the working, the working, just the working life.
song performed by by Bruce Springsteen
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Clampdown
What are we gonna do now?
Taking off his turban, they said, is this man a jew?
cause theyre working for the clampdown
They put up a poster saying we earn more than you+ace-
When were working for the clampdown
We will teach our twisted speech
To the young believers
We will train our blue-eyed men
To be young believers
The judge said five to ten-but I say double that again
Im not working for the clampdown
No man born with a living soul
Can be working for the clampdown
Kick over the wall cause governments to fall
How can you refuse it?
Let fury have the hour, anger can be power
Dyou know that you can use it?
The voices in your head are calling
Stop wasting your time, theres nothing coming
Only a fool would think someone could save you
The men at the factory are old and cunning
You dont owe nothing, so boy get runnin
Its the best years of your life they want to steal
You grow up and you calm
Down
Youre working for the clampdown
You start wearing the blue and brown
Youre working for the clampdown
So you got someone to boss around
It makes you feel big now
You drift until you brutalize
You made your first kill now
In these days of evil presidentes
Working for the clampdown
But lately one or two has fully paid their due
For working for the clampdown
But ha gitalong gitalong
And Ive given away no secrets
Whos barmy now?
song performed by by Rage Against The Machine
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A Jaundiced view?
We fail because we never learn
the lessons that the past can teach.
The sound advice we choose to spurn
will place success beyond our reach
The question is what is success?
To have the latest gadgetry
Apparently the answers yes.
although they are not necessary.
Technology moves on apace.
Things soon become obsolete.
The greatest failing of our race
We are determined to compete.
Instead of working side by side
to benefit everyone.
The powers that be will still decide.
That they’ll be better on their own.
To show the rest they are the best.
Which fosters greed and selfishness.
What does it matter if the rest
are left to live in wretchedness..
Me first, me first the constant cry.
I do not care a toss for you
You cannot win if you don’t try
to stay ahead the way I do.
I will succeed at any price
and you will pay for my success.
I know that I will not think twice.
My only aim is to impress.
I choose to live in luxury
I see no reason I should not
Although you live in poverty
I will not share what I have got.
It’s human nature at its worst.
I see no signs that it will change.
Our creed has always been me first.
I do not find it to be strange.
But then I am a realist
I view the world cynically.
and not as an idealist
would like to see it be.
03/09/2009
http: // blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Working Man's Wage
(wynn varble/leslie satcher)
I've seen mornings when a thousand bales of hay
Looked like a mountain to a boy my age
And i've seen my daddy in that hot southern sun
Move those mountains one by one
And i've seen that same man come home from the mill
Pull forty hours for a hundred-dollar bill
I've watched him struggle and i've watched him age
Raising a family on a working man's wage
I grew up on a working man's wage
Blood, sweat and tears on every dollar he made
For the little he earned there was so much he gave
And i hope i am worthy of a working man's wage
I pick this guitar six nights a week
Daddy can't believe they're paying me
It would be so easy to let it go to my head
But there's just one thing that i can't forget
I grew up on a working man's wage
Blood, sweat and tears on every dollar he made
For the little he earned there was so much he gave
And i hope i am worthy, i hope i am worthy
Of a working man's wage
I've seen mornings when a thousand bales of hay
Looked like a mountain to a boy my age
song performed by by Trace Adkins
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Working Man's Wage
(wynn varble/leslie satcher)
I've seen mornings when a thousand bales of hay
Looked like a mountain to a boy my age
And i've seen my daddy in that hot southern sun
Move those mountains one by one
And i've seen that same man come home from the mill
Pull forty hours for a hundred-dollar bill
I've watched him struggle and i've watched him age
Raising a family on a working man's wage
I grew up on a working man's wage
Blood, sweat and tears on every dollar he made
For the little he earned there was so much he gave
And i hope i am worthy of a working man's wage
I pick this guitar six nights a week
Daddy can't believe they're paying me
It would be so easy to let it go to my head
But there's just one thing that i can't forget
I grew up on a working man's wage
Blood, sweat and tears on every dollar he made
For the little he earned there was so much he gave
And i hope i am worthy, i hope i am worthy
Of a working man's wage
I've seen mornings when a thousand bales of hay
Looked like a mountain to a boy my age
song performed by by Trace Adkins
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Lord Have Mercy On The Working Man
(Kostas)
All around I hear the sound of money
But I ain't got a nickel to my name
And everywhere I look I see temptation
She stands on every corner and calls my name.
Won't you tell me if you can
'Cause life's so hard to understand
Why's the rich man busy dancing
While the poor man pays the band
Oh, they're billing me for killing me
Lord, have mercy on the working man.
Uncle Sam's got his hands in my pockets
And he helps himself each time he needs a dime
Them politicians treat me like a mushroom
'Cause they feed me bull and keep me in the blind.
Won't you tell me if you can
'Cause life's so hard to understand
Why's the rich man busy dancing
While the poor man pays the band
Oh, they're billing me for killing me
Lord, have mercy on the working man.
Hey, St. Peter, look down for a minute
And see this little man about to drown
There's quicksand all around and man I'm in it
Please help me up Lord, 'cause I'm going down.
Won't you tell me if you can
'Cause life's so hard to understand
Why's the rich man busy dancing
While the poor man pays the band
Oh, they're billing me for killing me
Lord, have mercy on the working man.
Won't you tell me if you can
'Cause life's so hard to understand
Why's the fat man busy dancing
While the thin man pays the band
Oh, they're billing me for killing me
Lord, have mercy on the working man.
Please Lord, have mercy on the working man.
Please Lord, have mercy on the working man...
song performed by by Travis Tritt
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Working Hour
These things
That I've
Been told
Can rearrange
My world
My doubt
In time
But inside out
This is the working hour
We are paid by those who learn by our mistakes
This day
And age
For all
And not for one
All lies
And secrets
Put on
Put on and on
This is the working hour
We are paid by those who learn by our mistakes
And fear is such a vicious thing
It wraps me up in chains
Find out
Find out
What this fear is about
Find out
Find out
What this fear is about
song performed by by Tears For Fears from Songs From The Big Chair
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Workin' For The Man
Workin' For The Man
Roy Orbison
Hey now you better listen to me everyone of you
We got a lotta lotta lotta lotta work to do
Forget about your woman and that water can
Today were working for the man
well pick up your feet
we've got a deadline to meet
I'm gonna see you make it on time
Don't relax
I want elbows and backs
I wanna see everybody from behind
'Cause your working for the man working for the man
you gotta make him a hand when you're working for the man
Oh well I'm pickin' 'em up and I'm laying 'em down
I believe he's gonna work me into the ground
I pull to the left I heave to the right
I wanna kill him but it wouldn't be right
'Cause I,m working for the man working for the man
gotta make him a hand when you're working for the man
Well the boss man's daughter sneaks me water
everytime her daddy's down the line
she says meet me tonight love a me right
and everything is gonna be fine
So I slave all day without much pay
'cause I'm just abiding my time
'cause the company and the daughter you see
Their both gonna be all mine
Yah I'm gonna be the man gonna be the man
Gotta make him a hand if I'm gonna be the man
working for the man working for the man
gonna be the man gonna be the man
Gotta make him a hand working for the man
From: Deise (Julio C Pereira
)
song performed by by Roy Orbison
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Tailor made for you for M' lady Dawn Slaker
Dreams for sale, each one brand new.
Created daily fresh for you.
I do not claim my dreams come true
but I am sure that some must do.
The only thing I guarantee
is confidentiality.
If you should choose to buy from me.
There are no prying eyes to see.
The kind of dreams that you prefer
There are no records anywhere
So you can purchase free from care
I pride myself on being fair.
Each dream you buy is tailor made
and of the very highest grade
Well worth the price which you have paid.
I am certain that the will persuade.
Even the hardened sceptics to
return again for something new
I usually find that people do
and truly hope that you will too.
Dreams for sale a vast array
and all are freshly made today.
And if you cant afford to pay
I keep a few to give away.
For dreams are a necessity
whether bought are given free.
you can contact me easily
I live in your vicinity
.
If you should find you need a dream
just send your message by moon beam
The moon and I work as a team
that’s working well a splendid scheme
13-Aug-08.
http: // blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Alienations For The Rich
This song is dedicated to all you modern-day troubadors out there
And I think I know who you are
I got to get a job
Got to get some pay
My sons gotta go to art school
Hes leaving in three days
And the tvs in esperanto*
You know that thats a bitch
But alienations for the rich
And Im feeling poorer every day
Hey hey hey
Well I aint feeling happy
About the state of things in my life
But Im working to make it better
With a six of miller high life
Just drinking and a-driving
Making sure my dues get paid
Because alienations for the rich
And Im feeling poorer every day
Hey hey hey
Well I aint feeling happy
About the state of things in my life
But Im working to make it better
With a six of miller high life
Just drinking and a-driving
Making sure my dues get paid
Because alienations for the rich
And Im feeling poorer every day
Hey hey hey
Hey hey hey
Hey hey hey
song performed by by They Might Be Giants
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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