I'm a-working
On the line
Six days at a time
With a shovel and a spade
I'm digging for the shade
But I keep getting paid the same

Been working for a man and he likes my style
The more I sweat, the more he smiles
The more I sweat, the deeper I get
He's driving this poor boy wild

I can't live no good on what I get paid
I know trouble's just a poor man's claim to fame
But the prices keep rising every day
And I keep getting paid the same

I get up every mornin' 'bout half past six
Drink a pot a' coffee just to load a ton of bricks
Long about noon, I'm thinkin' that soon
You're gonna work this poor boy sick

I can't buy beans on what I get paid
I was cooking biscuits when the bill collector came
And the prices keep rising everyday
And I keep getting paid the same

I lay down my hammer when the whistle sounds
I bury my shovel in the deep deep ground
I run to my home to see my honeycomb
When that evening sun goes down

I can't live too good on what I get paid
My roof's got a hole and it's looking like rain
And the prices keep rising everyday
And I keep getting paid the same