My older brother Tommy

Was a lineman

Rest his soul

His job was hanging hot wires

On them high-line power poles

Every morning bright and early

He'd climb way up in the sky

And I never understood it

So one day I asked him why



[CHORUS:]

He said it pays big money

And man I'm into that

It pays big money

If you're willing to

Take a chance

Let me tell you something sonny

You ought to see

My bank account

It pays big money but

He sure can't spend it now



Well, my late Uncle Charlie

Was this demolition hound

He'd travel across the country

Blowing buildings to the ground

He carried a case of dynamite

Seemed everywhere he went

He smoked them big long cigars

And he'd wink at you and grin



[Repeat chorus]



Well now the

Moral of this story boys

Is don't go

Getting yourself killed

Be kind to your rich relatives

They just might

Put you in their will



That pays big money and

We're all into that

It pays big money and

Big money's where it's at

Let me tell you something sonny

You ought to see my bank account

It pays big money and

We're rolling in it now



It pays big money

Having foolish kin

It pays big money

Guess I owe it all to them

Let me show you something sonny

Take a look at this bank account

It pays big money

Let's all spend some of it now