Working-Class Woman

Your working man's wife That's how I was defined As if that was my life My hope and my mind I worked in a big shop Did the house work at night There was no time to stop For a young bird in flight In time there were babies I had to make us a home Joe was working two jobs I was always alone I needed some time And just a little control Just to keep my right mind Just to try to stay whole I wanted a partner to be his friend Not just his wife I work hard for my children But they're my love, not my life Went to work in a factory You know it's rough in this world My kids are in high school Don't you know the boss calls me girl? But the woman beside me As we sweat out the line Says tomorrow is payday The next day is mine It's a race for the strong Cause it will grind up the meek When your money runs short Bout the end of the weak And your car needs some tires And your kids need some shoes For a working class woman That's an old kind of blues This system buys hands But you must not use your head They will shake you and break you Till all your senses our dead I know there are answers I gotta get to the source I think me and this system Got to get a divorce I can't make enough money I can't find enough time But I'm a hard working woman And the future is mine There's more where I come from We got anger to burn We're talking and moving We're gonna study and learn The unity trade On a straight arrow line If today is the boss's I know tomorrow is mine!