Working-Class Woman

Your working man's wife
 That's how I was defined
 As if that was my life
 My hope and my mind
 I worked in a big shop
 Did the house work at night
 There was no time to stop
 For a young bird in flight
 In time there were babies
 I had to make us a home
 Joe was working two jobs
 I was always alone
 I needed some time
 And just a little control
 Just to keep my right mind
 Just to try to stay whole
 I wanted a partner to be his friend
 Not just his wife
 I work hard for my children
 But they're my love, not my life
 Went to work in a factory
 You know it's rough in this world
 My kids are in high school
 Don't you know the boss calls me girl?
 But the woman beside me
 As we sweat out the line
 Says tomorrow is payday
 The next day is mine
 It's a race for the strong
 Cause it will grind up the meek
 When your money runs short
 Bout the end of the weak
 And your car needs some tires
 And your kids need some shoes
 For a working class woman
 That's an old kind of blues
 This system buys hands
 But you must not use your head
 They will shake you and break you
 Till all your senses our dead
 I know there are answers
 I gotta get to the source
 I think me and this system
 Got to get a divorce
 I can't make enough money
 I can't find enough time
 But I'm a hard working woman
 And the future is mine
 There's more where I come from
 We got anger to burn
 We're talking and moving
 We're gonna study and learn
 The unity trade
 On a straight arrow line
 If today is the boss's
 I know tomorrow is mine!