Jim The Company Man

Jim the company man, he never spoke too much

40 years at the mill, breathing in steel dust

Until his back was bent and his eyes were dim

And then his heart went out, and there went poor Jim.

The day Jim was born the sky was gun steel grey

His mama kissed his brow, his daddy knelt right down to pray

he said “Lord please keep this child in your care, may he never go astray”,

“I worked hard my whole damn life, and by the time he’s grown he’ll do the same.”

Jimmy went to school, he learned to be on time

He followed most the rules, a well-mannered mind.

On his graduation day the steel rep came dressed up in a suit and tie.

That June Jim punched his first card and found a place working on the steel line.

Jim would rise up sore in the predawn gloom

Think of his bills and his wife and kids

Sleeping right up there in their room.

But then he’d sigh and turn to go

just like he’d done a thousand times. Another long day spent,

Another piece of Jimmy dies.

You wage slave enough and you’ll finally see

Jim is everyone, he’s you and me.

So remember before you lease a gold tomorrow for the rest of your todays,

That Jim worked his whole damn life

and by the time he died, he still hadn’t paid.

Jim the company man, he never spoke too much

40 years at the mill, breathing in steel dust

Until his back was bent and his eyes were dim

And then his heart went out, and there went poor Jim.