[Verse 1] He picked the pick and plow to plow Working all day with a sweaty brow Clock on the wall it don't wait for me My gal's at home with the biscuits and tea Oh tell me how long must I have to wait Can I get some rest or must I hesitate [Verse 2] Hammer to hammer and nail to nail I'm punching that clock till my body's frail Boss man shouting like a bugle call But my baby at home is the best of all Oh tell me how long must I have to wait Can I lay it down or must I hesitate [Verse 3] Coal to coal and steam to steam I'm burning my youth on a factory team Sun comes up and the sun goes down But a fella needs joy in this old town Oh tell me how long must I have to wait Can I live my life or must I hesitate [Verse 4] Grain to grain and flour to flour The whistle keeps blowing at the break of hour I'm working for silver and not for gold And the nights with my darling are worth tenfold Oh tell me how long must I have to wait Can I steal a kiss or must I hesitate Yeah tell me how long must I have to wait Can I steal a kiss or must I hesitate [Instrumental] [Verse 5] Give me Sundays free, let me sing my song A man can't labor all the whole week long Time with my darling, time with my kin What good is the money if I can't sleep in [Verse 6] Brick to brick and stone to stone Working all day just to pay for a loan My back is bent and my hands are sore But I'd rather hold her than sweep that floor Oh tell me how long must I have to wait Can I get my share or must I hesitate [Verse 7] Shirt to shirt and shoe to shoe I've patched 'em twice but they still wear through What's the point of toiling till the night is gone If the love of my woman don't carry on Oh tell me how long must I have to wait Can I rest in arms or must I hesitate [Verse 8] Bread to bread and stew to stew I'm working for a dime while the rent comes due I trade half my wages for a kiss at night Working too much just don't feel right Oh tell me how long must I have to wait Can I get my peace or must I hesitate [Instrumental] Please tell me how long I have to wait How long [Instrumental]
