A Song for Labor Day: What the Rich Man Said

By Sonny Goldreich

Well the rich man said to the poor man
you’ve got to get a job
Yes the rich man said to the poor man
you’ve got to get a job
Can’t help you anymore
I’ve been carrying you too long

Well the poor man said to the rich man
you sent my job overseas
Yes the poor man said to the rich man
you sent my job overseas
I just want what once was mine
Give back what you stole from me

Well the rich man said don’t blame me, man
Your problem’s not with me
Yes the rich man said don’t blame me, man
Your problem’s not with me
You know that sloth’s a sin
And, yes, so is envy

Well the poor man said I work when I can
But the factory’s not hiring
Heard the poor man said I work when I can
But the factory’s not hiring
I can’t make it here anymore
But it’s not that I’m not trying

Well the rich man said stick to the plan
That’s how you get ahead
Yes the rich man said stick to the plan
That’s how you get ahead
You have to stay in school
If you want to make serious bread

Well the poor man said that’s a sham
Can’t afford no university
Yes the poor man said that’s a sham
Can’t afford no university
There’s no money on the table
after I feed my family

Well the rich man said trust in God’s plan
Heaven helps those who help themselves
Yes the rich man said pray to God, man
Heaven helps those who help themselves
Life up there is bound to be better
if you don’t depend on someone else

The poor man said I’ll go to Satan
if I can’t find another path
The poor man said I’ll go to Satan
if I can’t find another path
One day soon I’m going to help myself
to everything you have