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!