[Intro] [A cool, strolling upright bass line. Finger snaps on beats two and four.] Spoken (smooth-silghty dry): Lights on, dull eyes Start the count, they all say We’ve got work to do. Saying outdated lines “Stay focused… wait five years, And you might just get a promotion.”.” [Verse 1] I walk the streets, of the land of the free, Turning left to right, So I started to realize There ain’t no such thing as “worker rights.” Just suits and ties All crumbs, not a single slice of pie ‘Cause billboards scream opportunity While clocks steal years from me Smile wide, say “yes, sir, please” It’s all dressed up in hypocrisy [Pre-Chorus] Shake my hand, don’t hear my name Promise growth, deliver chains Say it’s fair, say it’s fine Rent is due, I’m out of time [Chorus] They lie to us with cheap-sweet talk Squeezing out the life from us Working us down to little white bones With no breaks in sight With no pay to live Chasing crumbs they never give [Verse 2] Punch the clock, same routine Coffee dreams and tired screens Overtime, unpaid, unthanked “Be grateful that you’re even paid” They say loyalty gets you far But loyalty just breaks your heart Climb the ladder, rung by rung It’s built from backs of everyone [Pre-Chorus] Smile trained, tone polite Bite my tongue, swallow pride They say, “That’s just how it goes” Guess that’s code for “Know your role” [Chorus] They lie to us with cheap-sweet talk Squeezing out the life from us Working us down to little white bones With no breaks in sight With no pay to live Chasing crumbs they never give [Bridge] How much is an hour worth When it cost you all your youth? They say, “Dream big, work hard” Then charge you for the truth If this system’s built to last Why’s it cracking at the seams? Why’s the boss got golden clocks While we can’t afford our sleep? [Break] (Bass walks alone, finger snaps stop) Work… Work… Work till you disappear (Snaps return) [Chorus] They lie to us with cheap-sweet talk, Squeezing out the life we’ve got, Working us down to brittle white bones, No breaks in sight, no pay to live— Just chasing crumbs they never give. But guess who’s on top? Not you and me— Just the old ones gathered comfortably. They point and say, “You never work,” With heavy eyes and hardened words, But they don’t see the corporate wolf, Still tearing through us, tooth and claw. Forcing us to shrug it off, and take the tone, Trying not to choke on dust and stone— Yeah, we carry on, no time to moan, ’Cause we’re already working… right to the bone [Outro] Spoken (dry, smiling): Keep your head down. Work hard. Maybe someday… You’ll earn the right to rest.
