[Intro – Spoken, amused, over a strutting bassline] Oh, I'm sorry. Was that a job title Or a royal proclamation? ...Uhm, excuse me? [Verse 1] He sells printers down on Main Street Got a badge and a parking space Says a woman oughta earn her keep With that look upon his face I said, "Honey, I adore a printer Love the paper, love the ink But somewhere between your nine and five You forgot how to think" I didn't question your profession Didn't knock your honest pay I just wondered when your direct deposit Made you king of judgment day [Pre-Chorus] I can clap for what you've earned Without kneeling at your feet Funny how a little paycheck Makes some people claim the seat [Chorus] Uhm, excuse me? Did you mistake your wage for a crown? Did your bank account appoint you To go looking down? I'm not asking you to be less I'm telling you I'm not beneath I'm not the absence of the work I'm the missing receipt Oh, excuse me! What a fascinating little belief That the number on your paycheck Determines who's worthy of relief [Verse 2] Auntie came in swinging scripture Said, "No work, no food, my dear" I said, "Funny, that's the very thing I've been explaining here" There's a woman down the highway Keeping neighbors warm and fed But the bank won't take a thank-you And the landlord wants his rent Now everybody loves a helper Till the helper needs a hand Then suddenly she's irresponsible For the work they never planned [Pre-Chorus] And I love a working person Hell, I love a working world But don't confuse a paid transaction With the value of a girl [Chorus] Uhm, excuse me? Did you mistake your wage for a crown? Did your bank account appoint you To go looking down? I'm not asking you to be less I'm telling you I'm not beneath I'm not the absence of the work I'm the missing receipt Oh, excuse me! Check the logic, check the math You can earn an honest living Without making me your aftermath [Bridge – Bass drops out, playful spoken delivery] Wait. Let me make sure I've got this. You got paid? Wonderful. Your bills are covered? Beautiful. Your work has value? Absolutely. And somehow... That means mine doesn't? (Pause) Oh, sweetheart. That's not economics. That's a superiority complex with direct deposit. [Instrumental Break – Wild brass riff, rubbery bass, guitar trading sarcastic little phrases] [Verse 3 – More confident, almost laughing] Used to carry every accusation Like a debt I had to pay Used to bring my whole life's evidence To anybody in my way Now I hear that old familiar judgment And a smile crosses my face 'Cause I finally know the difference Between my worth and my place Got a tiger in the mirror Found the claws beneath the fur Didn't grow 'em for the occasion They were always part of her [Final Chorus – Explosive, triumphant] UHM, EXCUSE ME! I don't recall electing you To decide which human contributions Count as something true! Keep your job, enjoy your pension May your printer never jam But your paycheck isn't proof You're more deserving than I am! I'm not asking you to be less I'm telling you I'm not beneath I'm not the absence of the work I'M THE MISSING RECEIPT! [Outro – Groove strips back to bass, one final brass flourish] You can keep your little pedestal I'm not climbing up to fight I don't need to stand above you To know I've got a right (Spoken, smiling) Oh, and one more thing... Your printer's out of paper. [Sharp brass hit. Silence.]
