Land of Plenty

Scratchin’ real hard for an honest days work,
Scratchin’ real hard like a chicken in the dirt
24 years down on the factory floor
We used to make things, but we don’t anymore
Too many ends, couldn’t make ‘em meet
Got the rug pulled out from under my feet
Fell behind, lost the house, the car
I didn’t see it coming and I fell too far

I used to live, a different life
I had my pride and a piece of the pie
When the factory closed, I was one of many
Who came up empty, in the land of plenty.

I’ve got no shame about any kind of work
Gets a person covered up with some dirt
I’ll work by the hour, I’m sure be grateful for a week
I’m good with my hands and I’m quick (fast) on my feet
So I wait on the corners with a dozen other men
Don’t speak the same languages, but we all understand
We’ve got the same blood, same heart, same beat,
Just trying to earn enough to get something to eat.

A gas station bath with a sliver of soap
The waters cold and the mirrors still broke
There’s a sermon and a supper at the edge of town
I got laid off but I’ll never lay down

I’ve stood in the rain with a cardboard sign
Some give me a dollar some speed on by
I don’t know their story,
And they don’t know mine
There by the grace of God go I

I used to live, a different life
I had my pride and a piece of the pie
When the factory closed, I was one of many
Who came up empty, in the land of plenty.