Working John, Working Joe

When I was a young man as all good tales begin

I was taught to hold out my hand

And for my pay I worked, an honest day

And took what pittance I could win

Now I'm a working John and I'm a working Joe

And I'm doing what I know

For God and the economy

Big brother watches over me

And the state protects and feeds me

And my conscience never leaves me

And I'm loyal to the unions

Who protect me at all levels

Now, as I grew, the winds of fortune blew

And the bank smiled down upon me

And mortgaged to the hilt I threw

The breeze of caution's behind me

Now I'm a working John and I'm a working Joe

And I'm good at what I know

And God and the economy

Have blessed me with equality

Now I'm equal to the best of you

And better than the rest of you

Who would criticize my success

In times of national unrest

Now I own my horseless carriage

In its central heated garage

And I commute eighty miles a day

Up at seven to make it pay

I direct ten limited companies

With seeming consummate expertise

Two ulcers and a heart disease

A trembling feeling in both knees

And I'm a working John, I'm a working Joe

And I'm doing what I know

But God and the economy

Big brother watches over me

And the state protects and feeds me

And my conscience never leaves me

And I'm loyal to the unions

Who protect me at all levels

I'm a working John, yes, I'm a working Joe

And I'm a working John, yes, I'm a working Joe