When I was a young man as all good tales begin
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I was taught to hold out my hand
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And for my pay I worked an honest day
and took what pittance I could win
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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
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Now as I grew, the winds of fortune blew
and the bank smiled down upon me
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And mortgaged to the hilt I threw
the breeze of caution behind me
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verse 3
Now I own a horseless carriage
in a central-heated garage
And I commute eight 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
Chorus
I'm a working John and I'm a working Joe