( November 2006)

Skin stretched thin across your chin but you still grin as though you’ve just been born
Eyes are bright your hands clutched tight you ride the night bus home right through the dawn
At closing time,
The stars begin to shine
But soon they’ll fade away.
Your work is done,
Ten hours and then some,
Your time exchanged for pay.

You’re a blue collar man
And you’re doing all you can
just to make it through the week
You’re no simple man
But you owe to uncle sam
And there’s just enough to eat

You sing and dance and cast a glance the game of chance begets the golden dream
Another glass no thanks I’ll pass you’ve had your last you’re out of steam
You don’t sleep at night
When there’s music to delight
Your single bed lies bare
The leafy row, turns roundabout the slough
And mirrors in your stare

You’re a blue collar man
And you’re doing all you can
Just to make it through the week
You’re a music man
And you live without a plan
You sing loud upon the street

Your hardy hand turns soil and sand but you command much more than meets the eye
Those cloudy skies that make you lie in bed and try to mask your sigh
You spend your days
About amongst the rays
Your shoulders brown and strong
When you plant and sow
Your troubles up and go
It’s here that you belong

You’re a blue collar man
And you’re doing all you can
Just to make it through the week
You’re a learned man
But you earn with your right hand
And there’s just enough to eat