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