A Giant Sucking Sound

[Verse 1] Got my union card in 'seventy-three This plant's been like a church to me Now the foreman's walkin' with his head down low Heard him whisperin' 'bout old Mexico. Got the breakroom T-V on the wall Some politician in a hall Talkin' 'bout a brand new kinda trade And all the brand new money made. [Chorus] He says "a brighter future" He says "a high-tech job" He says "we'll all get retrained" To pacify the mob. He's sellin' me on NAFTA With a million-dollar frown But all I hear's that other fella Talkin' 'bout a 'giant suckin' sound.' [Verse 2] He says "This deal's for everyone" "A brand new race that's just begun" My father's father laid these bricks He didn't know 'bout global tricks. He just knew a man's day's work And the simple honest perk Of a steady check and a little pride Now I'm watchin' that whole world subside. And they talk and talk... and talk. [Chorus] He says "a brighter future" He says "a high-tech job" He says "we'll all get retrained" To pacify the mob. He's sellin' me on NAFTA With a million-dollar frown But all I hear's that other fella Talkin' 'bout a 'giant suckin' sound.' [Bridge] I wanna believe the man who smiles That we're all headed for the sunny aisles But I see the "For Sale" signs on my street And the way the boss-man shuffles his feet. I'm just a number on a sheet Another promise obsolete. [Guitar Solo] [Chorus] He says "a brighter future" He says "a high-tech job" He says "we'll all get retrained" To pacify the mob. He's sellin' me on NAFTA With a million-dollar frown But all I hear's that other fella Talkin' 'bout a 'giant suckin' sound.' [Outro] A giant suckin' sound... Goin' south of town... He says "retrain"... But I hear that rain... I hear that giant suckin' sound. © 2026 The Shady River Bard. All rights reserved.