[Verse 1] When a gentleman of substance finds his means constrained, Back pressed to the mahogany, dignity still maintained, Clinging to the final droplet of refined, civil hope— Two steps rearward is simply not the manner in which one copes. What frustration feels like, my dear fellows, you cannot know, When one is overqualified, speaking fluent KPI and growth, Yet the boardroom seeks to stunt what it once hunted with zeal, Now merely toying with one’s capital, as though it were ideal. They presume to catalogue my strengths and weaknesses aloud, Rendering a gentleman’s discourse almost indecorously bowed. They appropriate one’s concepts, then present them in their slides, Stripped of all proper culture, while the vultures call one “bro”— No. [Chorus] R-E-S-P-E-C-T me— Elevate the standard, if you please. B-O-S-S U-P— Assume one’s proper station with ease. R-E-S-P-E-C-T me— Remunerate accordingly, and with grace. P-A-Y U-P— The ledger demands its rightful place. [Verse 2] Perhaps if one adopted their vernacular with care, They might elevate one to Chief Marketing Officer, or fair. Perhaps if one unclenched the fist and offered mild applause, One might find oneself more comfortably endowed by corporate laws. One makes their enterprise fashionable, delivers handsome yield, Then the redundancies arrive, and certain demographics are revealed As the inconvenient kink within their well-appointed ship. They dissemble regarding data, decisions, and the script. Forgive the occasional lapse in grammar, if you must— But spare me the repeated chapters of systemic, wilful dust. Glass ceilings, so politely polished, yet remaining firmly shut. How curious that corporate life so closely mirrors the coffin’s cut. How is a man of purpose meant to live with any dignity, When they either extinguish the life or abscond with the idea entirely? [Chorus] R-E-S-P-E-C-T me— Elevate the standard, if you please. B-O-S-S U-P— Assume one’s proper station with ease. R-E-S-P-E-C-T me— Remunerate accordingly, and with grace. P-A-Y U-P— The ledger demands its rightful place. [Verse 3] Observe the distinctions, carefully drawn and clearly understood: The Hustler survives by any means that circumstance sees good— Whether nine-to-five or otherwise, he must provision those in his care; He may have trafficked in commodities, or served a measured term, Yet would lay down his very life to secure his household firm. The Entrepreneur espies a window and elects to work alone, Exploiting opportunity with capital he can call his own. The Businessman assembles a capable and loyal team, Sells them upon a vision, and leads them toward the dream. People will follow, provided one knows how to lead with quiet command. As for myself—I have been all three, you understand. Those salaried employee days I simply cannot sustain; I far prefer the cheques made payable in my own business name. Experience and know-how constitute intellectual property— None of this, my dear fellows, shall ever come for free. [Chorus] R-E-S-P-E-C-T me— Elevate the standard, if you please. B-O-S-S U-P— Assume one’s proper station with ease. R-E-S-P-E-C-T me— Remunerate accordingly, and with grace. P-A-Y U-P— The ledger demands its rightful place.
