“Workers’ Control Song” Sheet Music (pdf).
“Workers’ Control Song” Karaoke (midi with lyrics).
Lyrics: Clem Parkinson.
Tune: Clem Parkinson.
Well, the times were getting hard, and the boss was getting tough,
And no matter how we slaved, still he said, “It’s not enough!”
Every week the axe would fall; blokes were sacked on every hand,
Till there came a fateful day when the workers made a stand.
Oh, he treated us like serfs, and he acted like a squire.
Now he’s lost his cushy job and the right to hire and fire
For he thought that we’d give in and we all would scrape and bow,
But the workers took control, and he’s on the Susso* now.
Oh, we handed him his hat, and we showed him the door,
And we told him with a grin, “You’re not needed anymore,
And we’re not prepared to say that we hate to see you go
For we did the bloody work, so we’ll run the bloody show.”
Oh, he treated us like serfs, and he acted like a squire.
Now he’s lost his cushy job and the right to hire and fire
For he thought that we’d give in and we all would scrape and bow,
But the workers took control, and he’s on the Susso now.
There’s some women down the street toiling in the clothing trade;
Things were crook** a while ago; now they really got it made
For they had a little chat and decided what to do;
Then they fronts up to the boss, and they send him packing, too.
Oh, he treated us like serfs, and he acted like a squire.
Now he’s lost his cushy job and the right to hire and fire
For he thought that we’d give in and we all would scrape and bow,
But the workers took control, and he’s on the Susso now.
And it’s only just a start for it’s spreading every day.
Yes, it’s really catching on, so I guess it’s here to stay.
There’s no need to fear the sack*** or to work until we drop:
All we need to do is fire all the deadheads at the top.
Oh, he treated us like serfs, and he acted like a squire.
Now he’s lost his cushy job and the right to hire and fire
For he thought that we’d give in and we all would scrape and bow,
But the workers took control, and he’s on the Susso now.
*Susso: Australian sustenance money handed out to the unemployed
**crook: bad
***the sack: getting fired