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

My family is lost to me

They could not bear the hurt

To see the state their boy is in

For lack of honest work



I hold no blame for anyone

'Twas I who did arrange

To pay my union dues so I'd

Not have to learn or change

And when I was replaced, 'twas I

Who started down the hill

And drank away my savings 'til

I couldn't stop myself



The prophets of a brave new world

Captains of industry

Have visions grand and great designs

But none have room for me

They see a world where everyone

Is rich and smart and young

But if I live to see such things

Too late for me they come



I know I'm not the only one

To fall beneath the wheel

Such company can not assuage

The loneliness I feel

So many are resigned to be

Society's debris

But I will be remembered for

The life life took from me



For 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