Frank used to work on the same line as me, I knew him for 17 years
They found his car crumpled up, wrapped round a tree, I still feel his wife’s heavy tears
I walked with him out of the factory, we shared a last beer and shook hands
As he eyed his last pay, I can still hear him say, ‘I somehow feel less of a man’
Bernadette worked in the factory canteen, to keep her three children in school
I still feel her anger and hear how she screamed while we stood around smiling like fools
I saw her last week at the job boards, she said, ‘I’m already getting too old’
She said, ‘There’s nothing for me but to pray that my three, never have to feel so hopeless and cold’
Minh got a job making clothing at home, it’s something but it keeps her tied down
Her kids see her skin wearing down to the bone her friends never see her around
I met her last week at the market she was strong though her body looked pained
As I shook her hard hand, she said, ‘They must understand that it’s got to be the time for a change
Bridge
All those numbers have got a name Lord (x 4?)
I guess I’m not telling you anything you don’t know
I don’t want to sound like I’m holier than thou Lord
But sometimes …???
The bloke from the Party comes in every week, He tries hard to be one of the boys
But he has to think twice every time that he speaks and we’re all getting sick of the noise
Now I’m not sure of the future, but I’m sure that things can’t stay the same
When there’s nothing choose and there’s nothing to lose, it feels like there gotta be change
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