August 4, 2009

Working for Nothing

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“There are signs the recession is easing.” -- Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner

Once upon a time
Having money was a crime,
And I was in my prime
And working for nothing.

Now that habit's hard to break,
And what I got you wouldn't take
The time to steal. Life's so unreal
When you're working for nothing.

Working for nothing
-ain't my act.
Working for nothing
-an un-natural fact,
Working for nothing.

Those cats in the top hats
All know money's where its at,
Say `You want it easy, want it fat?
Quit working for nothing.'

Those dudes hopping on The Line,
Making Fords and doing fine,
Do you think they'd take a shine
To working for nothing?

Working for nothing
-for pie in the sky
Working for nothing
-in the sweet bye and bye
We'll all be working for nothing.

That man with the handshake,
His love is just a stone fake.
He wants your love for his sake.
He ain't smiling for nothing.

He's got power in his sights.
He'll come out on top all right.
Still, his wife stays out all night,
Working for nothing.

Working for nothing --
Gotta break on through --
Working for nothing
To where dreams come true.
No more working for nothing.

Gotta get that bacon.
Gotta pay that rent.
Gotta give that loan shark
My last red cent.

Gotta make a final payment
And get my pistol outta hock.
Gotta press my three-piece suit.
Gotta darn my sock.

There's alimony, child-support,
There's last month's union dues,
And my baby needs a new pair
Of hand-made English shoes.

She's been broke before,
And says she won't put out no more,
If putting out just means
She's working for nothing.

Working for nothing...
-But there ain't nothing free.
Working for nothing...
-It's just the fool in me
That's working for nothing.

I used to be a winner,
A syncopated sinner.
I gave out all my love for free
(Yes, that was really me.)

Now I jump when they push the button,
Trying to get me a piece of something,
Trying to make a deal that beats
Working for nothing.

Gonna pull myself together,
Buy the papers, find a job.
Maybe dress up all in leather
And break legs for the mob.

Maybe wear those real sharp suits,
Be the servant, play the clown,
For those jokers in the penthouse
That own the whole damn town.

Maybe be a jewel thief,
Or rob banks like Willie Sutton.
Be a local discount hit-man.
It's better than working for nothing.

If you're working for something
-don't take no bets
It only seems like something
-cause you ain't seen nothing yet
No, you ain't seen nothing yet.

Posted by Vanderleun at August 4, 2009 12:08 AM
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Comments:

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"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -- Karl Popper N.B.: Comments are moderated and may not appear immediately. Comments that exceed the obscenity or stupidity limits will be either edited or expunged.

I thought it was Willie Sutton.

Posted by: Bob Sykes at August 4, 2009 4:33 AM

Well, if this is not a bit of sunshine first thing in the morning. First thing in order for the writer, get the "pistol outta hock." Always nice to have something you can count on when you need it.

Posted by: Cilla Mitchell at August 4, 2009 5:46 AM

Yeah, Cilla. Not exactly Vitamin D progenitor stuff.

Counting my blessings.

Posted by: cathy at August 4, 2009 11:26 AM

Willie it is. I blame alcohol and doggerel.

Posted by: Vanderleun at August 4, 2009 11:38 AM

BTW.

This was not doggerel . . .

just depressing.

Posted by: Cathy at August 5, 2009 7:27 PM
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"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -- Karl Popper N.B.: Comments are moderated to combat spam and may not appear immediately. Comments that exceed the obscenity or stupidity limits will be either edited or expunged.










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